Last Sunday in Advent

Christmas is almost upon us, and happily, I've gotten all my shopping done. We should be able to enjoy the next couple of days and relax a bit.

We went to Church today, my son ushered, and the sermon was good. We sang one of my favorite hymns, Oh, come, Oh come, Emmanuel.

As it happens, I don't have anything particularly profound to add to this post, so I'll share the words of that hymn.

Oh, come, Oh, come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh, come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh, come, Thou Day-spring from on high, And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh, come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heav’n-ly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh, come, Oh, come, Thou Lord of Might, Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the law, In cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh, come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh, come, Desire of nations bind In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.