O Come, O Come Emmanuel

These first days of Advent I have been listening to various versions of the oldest Advent hymn, "O Come O Come Emmanuel." I recently discovered that while the English version we are familiar with dates back to the mid-19th century, the original Latin version dates back to the 12th-century. It is also believed that the original text traces even further back to the 8th-century "O Antiphons," which were short statements sung or chanted at the beginning of the Psalm or during Vespers. Each of the Antiphons greets the Savior with one of the various titles He is referred in the Scriptures, names such as "Emmanuel," "Lord of Might," "Key of David," and "Rod of Jesse." These "O Antiphons" are still sung or recited during the last seven days of Advent in some liturgical traditions.

This version of the hymn is one I have especially enjoyed these past few days. It is on the "Advent Songs" CD by Sojourn Music.