I understand completely that we are not to have anything to do with babylonian forgery of Christmas. I also have looked into the history of the song and I know it was used with the advent of the church. But there are many scriptural references and truths that cannot be ignored. I thought I might try my hand at updating it. I hope that I am not overstepping the rule not to mimic the ways of the gentile nations (or for that matter the Popish Church), but I thought the possible message was appropriate for every day of the year and especially for the Fall miqrym of Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. I wish I had thought of it earlier, but I didn't hear it until recently...I am sure you know why...anyway...I heard it in the supermarket.

1. Oh, come, Oh, 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.
2. Oh, 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.

3. Oh, come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

4. Oh, 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.

Now for a "updated" version:

1. Return, Return, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That hopes for your return to the land
Until the Son*of Yah appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall rescue thee, O Israel.

2. Return, Thou Rod of Yishei, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of sheol Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall rescue thee, O Israel.

3. Return, our fountain from on high,
And free us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall rescue thee, O Israel.

4. Return, Thou Key of David, return
And open wide our heavenly home:
Make safe the way that leads to life
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall rescue thee, O Israel

*or Word in place of Son

Good observation, Shalom82. When I led worship for four years at one church (before I figured out the whole Christmas boondoggle) I kept this wonderful hymn in the song rotation all year long. It's far less a "Christmas carol" than it is a joyous celebration of Yahshua's final coming. The lyrics still make me tingle with excitement.

kp

We enjoyed this song in church this past weekend. (Yes, I still attend church. Please don't shoot me. I'm too entrenched in an out reach teen ministry that my church sponsors, and I serve on the board. I believe it's where I'm suppose to be for the time being. I squirm quite a bit at times. And there have been moments when I've really had to contain myself. And I admit that I grow weary of certain things, but it's not about me, so enough of that. I practice true Sabbath all by my lonesome - no wait, I'm not really alone!) Any howdy :-) I change words to Christian music all the time, especially in church. I sing a little louder when I do. I love it!

CK