{"id":278,"date":"2008-12-10T08:03:14","date_gmt":"2008-12-10T14:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iamanoffering.com\/blog\/?p=278"},"modified":"2011-04-22T15:02:16","modified_gmt":"2011-04-22T21:02:16","slug":"christmas-music-part-2-o-come-emmanuel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iamanoffering.com\/blog\/christmas-music-part-2-o-come-emmanuel\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Might Not Know About Christmas Music – Part 2: O Come Emmanuel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday we looked at how Isaac Waats desired to make the music of his time more reachable and singable<\/a>, thus leading to the writing of Joy to the World which we couldn’t imagine being without today.\u00a0 Today we look at how it’s possible that a melody can stand the test of time and styles.<\/p>\n

The O Antiphons<\/h3>\n

For many, many years, worship services were spoken and sung in Latin (and some still are to this day).\u00a0 One part of the liturgy of a Latin service is the O Antiphons, a series of vocally sung responses.\u00a0 Each antiphon is a name of Christ and when each beginning letter is put together taken backwards, the phrase ‘Ero Cras’ is spelled out – meaning “Tomorrow, I will come.”\u00a0 You can find out more information about the O Antiphons here<\/a> (and I’d highly recommend checking it out.)<\/p>\n

The last antiphon in the series is “O Emmanuel.”\u00a0 Most hymnbooks today include five of the original statements of the antiphons in the modern hymn.<\/p>\n

Musical Origins that Stand the Test of Time<\/h3>\n

I don’t know of anyone who wouldn’t agree that “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”‘s melody is one of the most beautiful and haunting melodies in existence.\u00a0 But the amazing part is that this melody is old.\u00a0 Really old.\u00a0 The exact origins aren’t known for sure, but “It is believed that the traditional music stems from a 15th Century French processional for Franciscan nuns, but it may also have 8th Century Gregorian origins.” (from wikipedia<\/a>)\u00a0 It is amazing to me that something that could be as old as the 8th century would still have such a universal sound and impact today.<\/p>\n

Making Old Things New<\/h3>\n

I’m still hoping to write an article for The Worship Community on the art of making old things new, but in the mean time, check out how this favorite Christmas hymn was made new to become more accessable to all of us.<\/p>\n

John Mason Neale had a great desire to translate Greek, Latin, and German hymns into the English language.\u00a0 During his life in the 1800’s he translated this and other hymns into English.\u00a0 Thankfully he kept the haunting, plainsong melody intact.<\/p>\n

Ponder who Jesus Is Again and Again<\/h3>\n

As you sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” this Christmas season take time to ponder the astounding titles of Christ within its verses.\u00a0 And take note of the fact that the One we continue to anticipate is the only one that can hold claim to these titles that have spanned for centuries and will span for eternity.<\/p>\n