The song "Emmanuel (Light Has Come)" was written in the Fall of 2021, as the pandemic was beginning to ease and people were gathering once again for in-person worship. Shaped by both the season of Advent and our shared moment in history, the text draws from Isaiah 9:2–7 and Zechariah’s song in Luke 1:78–79. After a long period marked by fear, isolation, and separation, the imagery of light dawning felt especially significant. The bridge comes from Isaiah 60:1, “Arise and shine, for your light has come,” and encourages not only emergence from despair but also an invitation to reflect the glory of God into a dark world. By weaving together Scripture with lyrics from traditional Christmas carols, my hope is that this song offers a fresh expression of deeply familiar Advent and Christmas liturgy.
Just a few months after the song was written, my head pastor passed away, and the church we were attending entered a deeply traumatic season. As I grieved and sought to regain my grounding, the song itself was set aside—almost buried in its own darkness. Healing came gradually through community and belonging.
Finding a home at City Church renewed my faith and gave me the opportunity to experience redemption, re-enter worship leading, and rediscover the light this song proclaims. I would like to acknowledge my former worship pastor and mentor, Terry Butler (writer of Vineyard Worship songs "Cry Of My Heart,” "At The Cross,” "Psalm 19 (May The Words Of My Mouth),” and the 2019 Vineyard Worship single "All The Same”), who offered invaluable feedback on early versions of the melody and suggested the non-diatonic chords that helped shape the song’s emotional arc from darkness toward light. Thank you also to Jason Morrell, who brought new life to the song during Advent 2025 through his arrangement for choir, strings, band and organ.
- Colleen Howell, Worship Associate