Ransom Captive Israel: My Christmas Testimony

O come, O 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.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

After listening to the words to O Come O Come Emmanuel for the first time in my life, this is now my favorite Christmas song. It is so fitting because these past few months I have pondered this topic many times, as the theme of captivity and liberty has come up repeatedly in my studies and ideas. Pretty much, Christ's entire mission can be summed up by saying his calling is to deliver us from our captivity. Just like ancient Israel, as repeated themes throughout scripture, we too are desperate for a Savior from the bondages of earthly life--whether it be emotional turmoil, economic issues, mental health or social limitations, or simply sin and death. We live in a fallen world and are all in some sort of bondage. Only through Jesus Christ will be ever gain true liberty.