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Canadian-born singer/songwriter Matt Brouwer’s latest single, 'Waking Up', is more than just a nod to the past 14 years of being a recording artist, which Brouwer is celebrating on the release of his first career spanning ‘best of’ collection, "Writing To Remember". The sentiment of a bookend and a new beginning is no accident and reveals a season of transition that Brouwer is happily embracing. With more than a decade of hit songs, including “Water,” “I Shall Believe,” “Tonight,” and the Top 20 "Sometimes”; two GMA Canada Covenant Awards; two Canadian people’s choice Vibe Awards—not to mention a 2010 Juno Award (Canada’s Grammy equivalent) for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the year—Matt has a lot to celebrate in all that has been accomplished so far over the course of his career. With the passage of time inevitably comes change and it is in looking back that Matt is starting to see a new and exciting road ahead.
Matt Brouwer got his start in the music industry while studying music at school in Alberta, Canada. While in college he and fellow students founded the band Monday Night Worship (MNW). Because of the spiritual content of his lyrics he was 'discovered' by a Nashville record company in 2000, and in 2001 recorded his solo debut CD "Imagerical". The album was released on May 29, 2001 on Reunion Records. He then formed his own label called Black Shoe Records and released an album titled 'Unlearning' in 2005, 'Where’s Our Revolution' (Universal) in 2009, and 'Till The Sunrise' in 2012. Brouwer's music has been hailed for its relentless vulnerability as he shares his life's story of tragedy (the tragic death of his father) and hope (his Spiritual pilgrimage) with his listeners.
“I never imagined where this journey would take me”, says Brouwer. “I can remember being 17 or 18 and feeling so compelled to want to shout from the rooftops about the Spiritual awakening I was experiencing. It was like being embraced by the most incredible love and connection to the Lord and the key to unlocking this door to my heart was through music. I was so hungry for that and totally committed and determined to follow it wherever it might lead me. My time in college and the friends I made there, the energy that was driving us, or driving me, to write songs and attempt to share them with the world felt like a humble but passionate expression of a new but relevant faith that was growing like a wildfire at the time. Fifteen years or so later, I still feel that longing. With all the miles travelled and water under the bridge, I still sit down in front or a piano or with a guitar and dream about what could be possible. I believe in the power of God’s love, transforming hearts through music and worship because I’ve experienced it and I’ve seen it happen in sometimes subtle and not so subtle ways. It’s something I believe I’ll be pursuing my entire life.”
That’s not to say that Brouwer believes that all anyone needs to find peace in life is a three minute pop song to solve all of their problems. Growing up in a very devout Christian family, Matt’s mom made sure that he and his siblings were memorizing full chapters of scripture by the time they started kindergarten and spending as much or more time during the week at church gatherings than in front of the tv or devouring any type of pop culture media. “I used to feel embarrassed by how sheltered we were, but now I am so thankful because it gave me an incredible foundation of solid teaching and an education in Biblical theology. But knowledge alone is pretty useless until it makes an emotional connection somehow and finds it’s way into your heart. For me, the music is what connected the two.”
Like so many new beginnings, much of the genesis for this fresh optimism happened when Hannah entered Matt’s life. The two first met while Matt was on a mission trip in Guatemala, where Hannah’s parents serve as medical missionaries. The relationship blossomed and they were engaged in spring 2010 and married later that year. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in September of 2013 and life forever changed. The balance of career and family has been a stretch at times, but it’s something Matt says he is learning to embrace and explore. “It might sounds strange, but I’ve never been less interested in pursuing a music career. Being married and having a family has re-oriented my priorities completely and the career things that used to be so important to me have become less so. In that way it’s been very freeing and has forced me to let go of control and allowed my steps to be directed by opportunities that the Lord brings our way rather than striving and trying to ‘make it’. If ten or ten million people are listening, it really doesn’t matter. Being a great husband, father, and friend are much more important to me right now than striving for some big career that takes me away from these precious gifts of family and community.”
Community and camaraderie has become increasingly more important to the singer and one listen to 'Writing to Remember' reveals this collaborative spirit that is a hallmark of Matt’s musical pallet. Those lending their vocal talents include JJ Heller, Jill Paquette, and even Vince Gill and Amy Grant on a deeply personal and emotional track, 'The Other Side'. 'Writing to Remember' is equally saturated with a spirit of hope, togetherness, and God’s love. The album beautifully bookends this first chapter with a nod to the next waiting to unfold. “These 15 songs truly represent the progression of learning for me and express the joys and struggles of life that has been lived these past 14 years”, says Matt. “It’s been cool to re-discover how relevant these simple truths still are in my life and I believe for all of us.”
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Matt Brouwer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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, Israel
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel, Israel
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, ooh
The lyrics of Matt Brouwer's "O Come O Come Emmanuel" are a poignant plea for the arrival of the Son of God to save the captive Israel. The song starts with the cry of the Israelites, asking for the arrival of Emmanuel to release them from the misery of their lonely exile. The mention of ransom symbolizes the captivity and their yearning for freedom.
In the second verse, the song addresses the coming of the branch of Jesse, a messianic reference to the forefather of King David, who is believed to be the ancestor of Jesus Christ. This verse conveys the powerful message of hope that comes with the arrival of the Messiah, who will overcome the tyranny of Satan and rescue the people from the depths of hell.
The final verse dwells on the effect of Christ's arrival on the world. It resonates with the universal human experience of hopelessness and grief, and the need for a savior who can disperse the gloomy clouds of night and the dark shadows of death. The repeated calls to rejoice raise the mood, bringing salvation in the form of Emmanuel.
Line by Line Meaning
O come, o come, Emmanuel
Come, Emmanuel, bearer of salvation and hope.
And ransom captive Israel
Free Israel, held captive by sin and sorrow, through your redemption.
That mourns in lonely exile here
Israel, grieving and isolated, is waiting for deliverance from its pain and suffering.
Until the Son of God appear
Until the coming of Jesus Christ, in whom Israel will find true liberation and healing.
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Rejoice in the presence of Emmanuel, who brings joy and hope to Israel and the world.
Shall come to thee, o Israel
Emmanuel will come to Israel, fulfilling the prophecies and promises of God's love and faithfulness.
O come, Thou branch of Jesse, free
Come, Savior, through the lineage of Jesse, and liberate your people from the oppression and slavery of Satan.
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
Free your own people from the grip of Satan's power and influence, and lead them into freedom and righteousness.
From depths of hell Thy people save
Rescue your people from the darkness and despair of sin and death, and give them eternal life in you.
And give them victory o'er the grave
Grant your people the ultimate victory over death and the grave, through your resurrection and triumph.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Come, Jesus, the Dawn of Salvation, and bring happiness and delight to the hearts of your people.
Our spirits by Thine advent here
May your coming fill our spirits with love, joy, and peace, as we await your glorious return.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
Scatter the darkness and despair of this world with the brightness and light of your grace and truth.
And death's dark shadows put to flight
Overcome the fear and sting of death, and lead us into the fullness of life and joy in you.
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, ooh
Emmanuel, God with us, the source of our hope, comfort, and peace.
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.