“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has always had a special place in my heart. The aching desire it expresses for the coming of the Christ Child strikes a deep resonance within me. I went looking for a version to share with you and, although there were plenty of other videos with much more interesting images, I chose this one — in English and Latin — by Enya because of the crystalline purity of her voice. I hope you enjoy it.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for sharing! I agree about the crystalline quality of her voice. And, she’s Irish too!
Bob,
Not everyone can be Irish so I don’t like to flaunt Irishness very often!
Paul
There is something about music that touches our souls deeply. I attended a Lessons and Carols at my son’s college this past weekend, was hesitating about making the trip, and it was the most incredible experience, exactly what was needed. This is a beautiful version of a most beautiful, haunting song. Thank you.
Andie
Andie,
I know what you mean about hesitating to make the trip and then discovering you have the most marvelous experience. It is the story of my life.
Paul
Thank you Paul. I love Enya. I will get out her Christmas CD today. The sound of her voice comes from an ancient time. I am always touched by those kinds of voices.
I must thank you for stirring up old memories of childrens’ choir. I could see Sr. Cecilia with her eyebrows raised as she led us from her seat at the organ. I remember singing the “proper” of the Mass in Latin while having no clue as to the meaning of the words. What an honor to run up those stairs to the choir loft. I felt that I had finally arrived.
Memories are a huge part of this time of year. It was good to be a little girl again, when all I had to do was hit that note! I would like to approach the season as a child once more.
m.
Marg,
Gosh, yes. Wouldn’t it be great if we could approach the Feast with the heart of a child?
Paul
This is my favourite song of the season and it is an incredible gift to begin my morning listening to this beautiful version. This song expresses the desire of my soul which is also expressed by the Psalmist in Ps. 42:1 – As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.
Thank you for a beautiful way to begin my day.
Lynda,
It’s my favorite song, too. Check out the various versions on YouTube.
Paul
This to me is the lyrical embodiment of the intense aching for the God we need more than air.
So very beautiful and her voice is such a gift, beautifully and generously shared. I have been thinking about the call we emit, O Come Emmanuel. Is it a cry? A yearning? A demand? A hope? Perhaps all and it also is a surrender.
Fran,
What a lovely way to think about it. Yes, it is all those things you say and also, as you say, a surrender. Thank you.
Paul
Beautifully sung and beautifully put, Fran.
Thank you
Oh yes PLEASE do come O Lord,
Release us from all that binds us and blinds us
All that prevents us from becoming who You call us to be.
Open us to the joy of Your Love,
Help us to find the brightest window from our souls,
that we may radiate Your Love and light the world around us.
Maura,
“blinds us and blinds us” – lovely. Thank you.
Paul
Such a moving prayer, Maura
Speechless. That’s probably a good thing!
She turned my inner ache for God to tears.
Eric,
I too wept as her voice is so hauntingly beautiful and the words tug at my heart. Perhaps it has to do with the Irish in me also.
Lynda
Eric,
I hope they were happy tears…
Paul
Yes
Thank you very much. …
I added this to my Advent play list (on which there are already 7 other renditions!). It’s a hauntingly beautiful rendition of a hauntingly beautiful song…
Michelle,
Yes, it is a beautiful version. I wish there were equally gorgeous images to go with it, but you can’t have everything – especially when you’re not paying for it!
Paul
Celestial music by angels was first heard by the shepherds