Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken
to us by His Son… —Hebrews 1:1-2a
This final morning of Advent includes the same Scripture reading that concluded the choral service on the first Sunday
of Advent: the opening of Hebrews 1. This passage compares the Old Testament prophecies with their fulfilment in
Jesus Christ, a theme found in many of the Christmas hymns we sing in this morning’s service. To Us A Child Of Hope
Is Born is a metrical version of the familiar “For unto us…” passage from Isaiah 9, while the German hymn Lo, How A
Rose E’er Blooming uses the image of a rose to refer to Jesus, reminding us that “Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the rose I have
in mind.” O Savior Dear, Thy Manger Here and Of The Father’s Love Begotten describe Christ as “long desired,
foreseen of old,” the one “whom the Scriptures of the prophets promised,” and the one sleeping in a manger “as
prophets told in sacred story.” The service concludes with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, perhaps one of the most
“Advent-y” of Advent/Christmas hymns, voicing the sentiments of the exiled Hebrew people longing for a Savior who
would ransom them from captivity. —Henry C. Haffner
