The Christian church calendar is organized around several seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Ordinary Time. The season of Advent immediately precedes the season of Christmas for four weeks in December. One of the best well known hymns is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, a song that Christians have been singing (usually in chant form) for 1000 years. Here is the ancient text, in English, with a driving, aggressive beat and simple harmonies, suitable for a Praise and Worship band during Advent.

Check out this free midi file of O Come, O Come Emmanuel to hear the song.

Verses: O come, o come, Emmanuel. And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel. O come, o Wisdom, from on high, Who orders all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. O come, o come, great Lord of might, Who to your tribes on Sinai's height In ancient times once gave the law, In cloud, and majesty, and awe. O come, o Rod of Jesse's stem, From ev'ry foe deliver them That trust your mighty pow'r to save, And give them vict'ry o'er the grave. O come, o Key of David, come, And open wide our heav'nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.

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