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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

O Come Emmanuel

I've tried to think of something profound to blog about as of late.
I've also tried to stop in this "current" of my life and think about the whole Christmas thing.
That's a river kind of "current" metaphor/analogy thing (or is that a double entendre?). Although the current I've experience as of late, is not like a "lazy river" that are built at amusement parks (shout out to Kes, Erin and Jodi my friends with whom I have had "lazy river" experience). This kind of current is the kind like in a river that seems swimable, looks easy to get to the other side, but once you start swimming you realize you're in trouble, and can't cross by yourself. 
Fortunately, no Providentially, I've had those people in my life, past and present that are a gift in getting me down, across, and in that river, making a tough time seem like I should just relax in that lazy river.
Oh, that tie-into Christmas-
I missed our church's "fancy" Christmas service, and then the next day's meeting, so I haven't gotten much of the "feeling" of Christmas.
For those who know me, you know that I am a big feeler, but try to base my decisions of life on
reality, and logic. Or at least sometimes defer to Paul for advice about things I can't stop emoting about. 
This season has been less about "emoting" about Christmas. I've been too preoccupied with the struggle between deciding if I'm in an overwhelming current or a lazy river. 
This morning, I awoke too early for me, went upstairs and starting trying to unearth Christmas gifts. As I did so, I turned on my iTunes Christmas play list, which I hadn't listened to since last year.
To make a long story short (which is nearly impossible for me), on this Christmas Eve morn, I paused from my unearthing gift duties, to finally blog profundities regarding this Christmas season, but being Distractagirl, instead, found a sweet note from my Indy pal. Of course I had to reply and acknowledge the gift of friendship we'd been given as we're doing this waiting for Jesus thing. 
Then, as I typed,  I could hear the carol in the background being sung by my friend, Wynonna, "O Come O Come Emmanuel" The lyrics of the hymn follow:
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.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.