O Come O Come Emmanuel
The Oxford Choir Lyrics

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O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

God of God, light of light
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb
Very God, begotten, not created
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above
Glory to God, glory in the highest
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to thee be glory given
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Overall Meaning

The song O Come O Come Emmanuel is a classic Christmas hymn that originated in a Latin hymn, Veni, Veni, Emmanuel. The song is a solemn invitation to all to come and adore the newborn Christ. The song begins by calling on all the faithful to come to Bethlehem and behold the newborn King, who is the ruler of angels. The first verse sets forth the idea that anyone who is faithful and joyful should come to Bethlehem to adore Christ.

As the song continues, it shifts to reveal the nature of Christ, describing Him as "God of God" and "Light of Light." This portion of the song reminds us of the divinity of Christ and emphasizes that Christ is part of the Holy Trinity. The lyrics here also acknowledges the virgin birth and state that Christ was not created, but begotten.

In the third verse, the celestial beings, the angels, are called upon to sing in exaltation to the son of God. Here, the citizens of Heaven are also called upon to join in and sing praises to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The song ends with a final call to greet the newborn Savior and give Him glory. In conclusion, O Come O Come Emmanuel is a powerful call to all to adore the Son of God, who not only was born of a virgin but is also God himself.

Line by Line Meaning

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
Come, all of you who are loyal, happy and successful

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem
Come to Bethlehem, wherever you are

Come and behold him
See and experience Him

Born the King of Angels
He is the monarch over angels

O come, let us adore Him
Let us love and respect Him

Christ the Lord
He is Christ, the master or ruler

God of God, light of light
God who is from God, and radiates light

Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb
He does not reject the womb of the Virgin

Very God, begotten, not created
He is fully God, not created, but born of God

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, groups of angels, sing with joy and jubilation

Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above
Sing, everyone who lives in heaven above