I have often joked that my taste in music doesn’t suddenly change because it is Christmas.  I’ve never been a Christmas music person, and to be honest, some of the songs I enjoy the LEAST are Christmas songs.  ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ by Paul McCartney ranks right up there with ‘Hippopotamus for Christmas’ and ‘The Little Drummer Boy’.

And so I’ve been surprised this season to have a new Christmas song.  I can’t stop listening to it.  It broke onto the scene this Christmas with a fury.  It is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” by Skillet.  The music video sealed it for me.  But it comes with so much desperation and longing for what Christmas means to me.

My childhood was defined by loss, and most of my deepest Christmas thoughts do not come from warm fuzzies about traditions.  I have very little tradition to cloud my desperation for a savior to come set the world right.

There has been some controversy surrounding the song.  Some have accused them of ruining a quiet, calm, peaceful song with their harsh-sounding metal style.  When the song hits the three-minute mark and the desperation hits a fever pitch, I am always moved.  My heart screams with John Cooper every single time.

There is nothing that moves me like the thought of Jesus coming back to set it all right, to bring justice, to bring resurrection, to bring peace, to bring His Kingdom in its fullness. O Come Emmanuel!  Come be with your people.  And You will be our God.  And we will be Your people, forever, and ever, and ever.  My Christmas song doesn’t have to be your Christmas song, but I am just surprised to have a Christmas song.  And maybe someone will be encouraged like I have been, by a song that pushes the boundaries of what a Christmas song can be.