O Come O Come Emmanuel: Pt. 7

Verse four, one that we traditionally sing during the Christmas season reads, “O come, Desire of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind; bid envy strife and quarrels cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.”

This verse is based on a passage in Haggai. That prophet wrote, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts. Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts” (Hag. 2:6-7). The book of Haggai is tiny and written during a time of upheaval after the nation of Israel started returning from Babylonian captivity. They came back home to destroyed walls, empty fields, no Temple, and a fraction of the normal population. Their world had indeed been shaken but this prophecy is for so much more than just the Jewish, Babylonian, or Persian nations. This is talking about the end of all things when the whole world is shaken. In Revelation 19, we read, “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war…He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood…and the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty” (Rev. 19:11-15).

Does that sound like a pleasant experience? This isn’t necessarily the positive and cheerful message we associate with Christmas. However, it is the consummation of the eternal plan that was given in Genesis 3:15. Christmas was his first advent. It was the first time that both the author and principal actor (one and the same) stepped onto the stage. However, it will not be the last. When he returns (not for the rapture of the church but for judgment) the whole world will see him. They will know that the end is near when he appears as a conquering king. He already defeated principalities and powers on the cross (Col. 2:15). Yet this time, the defeat will be for judgment. God desires that all mankind will come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) but he will not force anyone to choose him. All nations desire him because God put eternity into our hearts (Eccles. 3:11). He is the only one who can fulfil the longings of our hearts and spirits. Now, all nations desiring him does not mean that all nations will choose him. There will be many people who reject Christ’s offer of salvation because they do not want to repent and surrender. Christ is the unshakable one (Heb. 12:27) but there are terms of surrender. We can’t repent of our sins and continue living the way we want. We turn from our sin and turn to a living, holy person who will complete the work he began (Phil. 1:6).

And that is the request – to bind all peoples in one heart and mind. What is the unity that the lyricist is asking for? Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” John records Jesus’ prayer to the Father in chapter seventeen, “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn. 17:21). This unity is only possible if the world not only shares this same mind and unity (as the result of genuine salvation) but also chooses to live out of the overflow of that unity. Believers have already been made one with both Christ and each other. There are many times that this unity appears chaotic or fractured. However, the unity that he has give us only works in surrender. Jesus lived his life by the power and life of the Father. In the western church especially, we stray very far off base with our unity because we try to live our lives out of our own strength. There is no overflow of joy, hope, grace, or love to be found in self-sufficiency. We must first be in him for this to work and then we must allow the life and word of Christ to dwell in us (Col. 3:16). Allow it to permeate every dry and cracked place of our hearts. Allow him to be our sufficiency and primary source instead of a last resort or merely a confessor when we fail.

If all people suddenly had one heart and mind, then the request to bid strife and envy cease doesn’t seem too extreme.

The Geneva Academy estimates that there are more than 100 conflicts or wars currently occurring around the globe. Imagine for just a moment that all envy and strife ceased. Can you conceptualize how extraordinary that would be? No one wanting to take land, power, property, no interruptions to supply chains, no death from rockets or IEDs? No sexual violence used as a means of control? No unending trauma, cross-generational conflict, or racial hatred? Especially in today’s world of social media, we can scarcely imagine a world in which strife does not exist. However, when the Prince of Peace rules, not just in our hearts but also on the throne of David, strife will cease. In a previous post I quoted Isaiah chapter eleven that talks about the tranquility of the Millennial Kingdom, not to mention the final New Heaven that the end of Revelation introduces us to.

Instead, of strife, the writer asks for heaven’s peace. Ultimately, this will happen on earth after final judgment. Yet that seems so far away. Do we have to wait until the end of all things to experience this kind of peace? I do believe that the world will not experience full peace like this until the end. However, I want to encourage you with one final thought on this Christmas. Heaven is not always peaceful in the way we think of peace and equate it to calmness. In Scripture, we hear about provocations from the devil, rebellions, battles, and cries from the martyrs all in heaven. However, there is always one consistency – God is on the throne. Heaven’s peace is synonymous with God’s rule. Even at the end when Satan is literally fighting the armies of heaven, it is Michael leading the messengers of God. There is nothing so troubling or trying that has ever demanded that the Ancient of Days double check to see how things are going. We always find him seated in majesty, enthroned above the flood (Ps. 29:10). Yet this God who is Majestic, Mighty, Sovereign, Self-Existent, Creator, Righteous, Wise, All-Powerful, Holy, Holy, Holy – he sent us his Son. The wording in Isaiah was so intentional, “A child is born, to us a son is given” (Is. 9:6). The second person of the Trinity stepped into time to redeem us from the fall.

So, if you’re not feeling particularly peaceful this holiday season, you can still follow the instructions of the songwriter and rejoice (make glad). Peace is not about an external set of circumstances. Peace is not about the right food, gifts, or even perfect relationships with all our relatives. His rule is the only thing synonymous with peace, and he is our peace (Eph. 2:14). Don’t try to drum it up with an emotional response. Rather rest in him, trust in his sufficiency, know that we serve God who is still seated on his throne. Nothing in the long, often terrible history of humanity has unseated him and he will rule for all eternity. Yet today, he desires to rule in our hearts. “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Col. 3:14-15).

So, rejoice, rejoice – gladden your hearts because Emmanuel has come once, and he will come again to rescue Israel and to reign from earth. Still, I encourage you not to wait until that day to experience his peace. Let him rule in your heart today and be so thankful as we celebrate his birth.