Hymns are religious teachers since music is educational. Christian hymns and music are written to enhance Christian self-identity. Especially in the West, Christian self-identity is constantly nurtured by memorable music such as G. Handel’s Messiah and J.S. Bach’s St. John’s Passion. On top of thinking about theology and beliefs, contemporary Christians need to take a critical look at worship practices because music is a powerful educator.
Because of the frequency of singing and the worship contexts from which hymns are sung, it is very difficult to unlearn problematic ideas once the lyrics were sunk in. For centuries, many hymns conveyed supersessionism – see the posting before this one. The hymn, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is a good example. One of the verses say:
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.”
The text of this hymn were put together in Germany in 1710, a time when there was no country called Israel. At that time, many believed that it was God who has scattered Jewish people as a punishment for not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, an idea got mentioned repeatedly in numerous ancient Christian theologians’ writings and church teachings; and the idea was solidified by hymnody. This lyrics suggest Israel is in captivity and exile. When it is accompanied by the old mindset, that is, Judaism is inferior and obsolete, this hymn continues to educate its singers, despite implicit, that Judaism still lies in darkness. Today, many enlightened Christians do not condone such beliefs; yet, its power to infect exists. The tune is nice and soothing; the traditional lyric is not.
In Mary C. Boys, Has God Only One Blessing? Judaism as a Source of Christian Self- Understanding (Mahwah: A Stimulus Book, 2000), p. 270, we find Professor Barbara Lundblad offers alternative lyrics. I have altered it furthered to make it sing-able. I have suggested it to my students in the past and my congregation I am currently serving.
Alternative and supersessionism-free lyrics
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And bless the place your people dwell,
Protect and keep us day and night,
And bring the blessing of your Light.
Refrain: Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel. Shall guide and bless us all of our days.
O Come, Tree of Life from tender shoot,
Come from the past, from Jesse’s root.
Break through the stone in ev’ry heart
Bring hope and joy, new life impart.
O Come, blest Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by your advent here;
Bless ev’ry people, ev’ry race,
Embrace us, young and old, within your grace.
I'm delighted to know that one of my colleagues just tells me her denomination has published a different lyrics for this hymn. Click this:
http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/research_sites/cjl/texts/cjrelations/resources/education/O_come_Emmanuel.pdf
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