Lyrics
The world lies helpless in the dark
And scarred by ceaseless war,
But Advent’s flickering candles mark
The hope Christ shall restore.
With rebel darkness he contends
His children to reclaim,
And further will his beams extend
‘Til earth is filled with flame.
O come, O come,
Our darkened hearts indwell!
O come, Emmanuel!
O come, Emmanuel!
When Christ returns in endless light
No darkness shall withstand.
Forgive, O Lord, our faithless sight
And save us by your hand.
O come, O come,
Our darkened hearts indwell!
O come, Emmanuel!
O come, Emmanuel!
And tremble now, you tyrant gloom
Whose power is soon undone.
Come down, O sanctifying groom
And let your kingdom come!
O come, O come,
Our darkened hearts indwell!
O come, Emmanuel!
O come, Emmanuel!
French Translation (Chant de l’Avent) Translated by Eunice Ibela
Ce monde git impuissant dans l’ombre
Craintif des guerres sans fin
Mais la frêle flamme de l’Avent montre
l’espoir du Christ qui vient
L’adversaire malin Il combat
Pour sauver Ses enfants
Sur la terre sa lance s’étendra
Formant un feu ardent
O viens, O viens,
Nos cœurs tristes t’appellent!
O viens Emmanuel!
O viens Emmanuel!
Étincelant Christ reviendra
L’ombre ne subsistera point
Pardonne Seigneur nos vues sans foi
Sauve-nous par ta main
O viens, O viens,
Nos cœurs tristes t’appellent!
O viens Emmanuel!
O viens Emmanuel!
Tremble à présent sombre tyran
Car ton pouvoir décline
Epoux sanctificateur descend
Et que ton règne vienne
O viens, O viens,
Nos cœurs tristes t’appellent!
O viens Emmanuel!
O viens Emmanuel!
About the Song
Advent, Christ's Return, Forgiveness, Judgement, Light and Darkness
Isaiah 7:14; John 1; 1-18; Luke 1:79; Matt 4:16; 10:34; 1Cor 4:5.
7058202
Greg de Blieck
Greg de Blieck,Jenny Cheung
Devotional
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound Isaiah 61:1 When asked to preach at the synagogue, Jesus read these words from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, written 700 years before. Jesus said that he was the fulfilment of this prophecy, and sat down. I love the electricity and simplicity of that moment – a man in your midst declaring that he is God’s messiah – the light that was coming into the world. This song helps us reflect on the irrepressible light of Christ Advent Song was written to accompany the lighting of the advent candles in the weeks running up to Christmas (for churches that use this kind of symbolic worship-aid). Advent is a time to collectively meditate on our state of helplessness and darkness without God, and to remember how Christ has illuminated the darkness around us, given us sight, freedom and hope. Jesus entered the darkness as a fragile baby, born into poverty and squalor – much like a tiny flame that might so easily be snuffed out. And yet, by the power of God, this flame has grown and cannot be stopped. One day in the future, the bible says that Christ will return, and not with the tiny flicker of a candle, or a star in the night, but with His glory fully visible, terrible and wonderful, in shock and awe and flame, like lightning across the sky. This song helps us reflect on the irrepressible light of Christ, with a refrain that articulates our desperate need for our Saviour to come and inhabit our praises, strengthen our resolve, forgive our faithless hearts, and rescue us from the darkness around and within.
Get all We Shall All Be Changed resources with our album pack!
Download the MP3 recording, full sheet music, and all other available resources for all songs on the We Shall All Be Changed album at an exceptional value with our Album Pack bundle offer!