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Join Us for Worship this Sunday
8:30am Alternative Worship and 11:00am Traditional Worship
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Tolkien, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel," and the Echoes that Formed Middle-earth
The beloved Advent hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is far older than its familiar nineteenth-century English form. Its origins lie in the medieval “O Antiphons,” the sequence of chants sung in the final seven days of Advent beginning at least as early as the eighth century. These ancient antiphons, such as O Sapientia, O Adonai, and O Radix Jesse, invoke Christ through vivid titles drawn from Scripture. In The Carols of Christmas, Andrew Gant notes that the hymn’s plainchant roots carried a sense of mystery, antiquity, and linguistic richness that captivated generations of writers, including one who would later reshape the landscape of modern fantasy: J. R. R. Tolkien.
Tolkien, a philologist before he was a novelist, was deeply shaped by medieval languages, liturgy, and poetry. Among the texts that gripped his imagination was the Old English poem Crist, attributed to Cynewulf, which paraphrases and expands the imagery of the “O Antiphons.” In this poem appears the striking figure Éarendel, described as a “brightest of angels” or a radiant morning star. Tolkien first encountered the word as a young man and later wrote that it “pierced my heart,” launching decades of myth making. Gant points out that the linguistic and theological world surrounding the antiphons, including their Latin poetry, English paraphrases, and chant melodies, formed part of the imaginative soil from which Tolkien’s legendarium grew.
The resonance does not stop with Éarendel. Tolkien’s term Middle earth also reflects the cosmological language of early English Christian poetry. The Old English word middangeard, used in biblical translations and devotional verse, refers to the human world situated between heaven above and the underworld below. This worldview saturates the same medieval literary culture that preserved the “O Antiphons” and eventually produced the chant that became O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Gant shows how such linguistic echoes, rooted in Scripture, chant, and liturgical imagination, helped Tolkien construct a mythic world that feels at once ancient and spiritually resonant.
The hymn’s plea, “O come, O Dayspring,” corresponds to the antiphon O Oriens, which proclaims Christ as the rising light shining on those in darkness. This imagery, so central to Advent, also parallels Tolkien’s lifelong fascination with light as a theological and symbolic force: the light of the Two Trees, the Silmarils, the star of Eärendil. While Tolkien did not simply borrow from the hymn, the shared wellspring of biblical prophecy, medieval poetry, and chant tradition gave him a vocabulary of light, longing, and hope. These traits shape both The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings.
Ultimately, as Gant suggests, the connection between Tolkien and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is not one of direct adaptation but of shared inheritance. Both arise from a long Christian tradition that treasured language, prophecy, and the expectation of redemption. The same medieval world that sang the “O Antiphons” also gave young Tolkien the words that stirred his imagination and through him it gave us Middle earth itself. During Advent, when we sing this ancient hymn, we join a chorus whose imagery has inspired faithful hearts for centuries, weaving together Scripture, song, and story in a way that continues to illuminate our lives today.
Clay Whittington, M.M.
Director of Music Ministries
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Pastoral Nominating Committee Update: We are pleased to announce we have completed four steps of “The Immanuel Trail: Calling a Pastor.” The MDP (Ministry Discernment Profile) was approved by both the Immanuel Session and Presbytery de Cristo which allows us to have reached Step 11. The MDP is posted on the Church Leadership Connection website, and our pastoral position is now available for candidates to view and submit applications.
Posters of “The Immanuel Trail: Calling a Pastor” can be found in both the sanctuary and Witherspoon Hall. Remember to contact us with questions and thoughts on the PNC Committee email, ImmanuelPNC@gmail.com. We are grateful for God’s grace as he walks with us into Immanuel’s next season of church life.
PNC Members: Cheralynn Baylor, Laurie Emery, Laura Fennema, Chair; Jonathan Friedmeyer, Debby Johnson, Secretary; Joey Samoy, and Sean Shifflette
| | | | Polar Express Movie Night was a Blast! A big thank you to Galaxy Theatres, to everyone who came and especially to the amazing Amy Burton for organizing this great event and making it special. We raised over $1,000 for the Matthew 13:9 Project (sanctuary sound improvements). | |
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Seasonal Liturgical Colors - Many years ago, the Worship Committee decided to decorate the sanctuary with the seasonal liturgical colors to enhance the visual appreciation of worship. Below is what you can anticipate as the colors change from the blue of Advent to the white of Christmas and Epiphany, and back to green.
- Blue is used for the decorations during the season of Advent (November 30 - December 24). Blue represents the royalty and hopefulness that is anticipated in the birth of Jesus.
- The outside of the church is decorated with burlap wreaths adorned with blue flowers and ribbons as a way of symbolizing the rustic nature of the stable where Jesus was born.
- The nativity figures located outside the church were donated by Norm and Laurie Snodgrass and the manger scene inside was given to the church by Phyllis Dean.
- The Christmas tree (in front of the Comfort Room window) is decorated with “Chrismons” which are special Christmas tree ornaments representing many of the symbols of Christianity including those of the Nativity.
- On December 25 the paraments (fabrics) on the Communion table and the pulpit will be changed to white (symbolizing joy, purity, and holiness) and will remain there until after January 6 which celebrates Epiphany or Three Kings Sunday.
- After January 6, the liturgical color will become the green of “ordinary time” (representing new life and growth).
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Time to Order Your Sanctuary Flowers – Help us fill the sanctuary this season with beautiful flowers for our Christmas Eve Services. Each plant is $20.00 and the deadline to order is Sunday, December 16. Plants can be dedicated to loved ones, and you can take them home after the 7:00pm service on December 24. Forms are on the sanctuary entry table or see an usher.
“The Will to Dream” Advent Devotionals – These devotionals are from Illustrated Ministry and explore what many of us are carrying – quiet questions and deep weariness. We long for healing, hope and understanding. This ache isn’t a weakness; it’s a holy longing. A sacred desire for a world made whole. Printed copies are available on the sanctuary entry table or you can access the pdf version HERE.
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Tickets are $33.85 each and can be purchased directly HERE.
Tickets are not sold or held in the church office.
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Growing and Giving into 2026 - We are off to an encouraging start to our 2026 Stewardship season. As of today, we have received 44 Estimate of Giving cards totaling $269,285.
As Pastor Bart has shared with us - each week, we gather to worship the One who plants us beside living, spiritual waters. The prophet Jeremiah promises that those who trust in God “shall be like a tree planted by streams… its leaves will stay green… it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jer. 17:7–8). We believe that is what God desires for Immanuel: a congregation rooted, nourished, and flourishing, even in seasons of change.
We are rooted together. Your care, your prayers, your participation, your time, and your giving all matter for the flourishing of the whole body. If you have not submitted an Estimated of Giving card yet - please prayerfully consider doing so. You can also submit it digitally HERE.
| | | | Connect, Grow and Have Fun | |
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Sunday School Classes for All Ages - No Classes on Sunday, November 30
Youth Group on Sunday Nights - Join us from 5:00 – 7:00pm for dinner, games and bible fellowship for youth ages 6-12th grade.
- November 30: No youth group
- December 07: Game Night!
Bible Studies:
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Men’s Bible Study on Mondays at 10:00am in Witherspoon Hall
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Women’s Bible Study on Wednesdays at 10:00am in Witherspoon Hall 12/13, (except for the Wednesday that Agape Circle meets)
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Agape Women’s Circle meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00am, held off campus. Contact Mary Kay at ausmbush3@gmail.com. Next date is Wednesday, December 10.
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Lydia Women’s Circle meets on the third Monday of each month at 6:30pm in Towner Hall. Next date is Monday, December 15.
Fellowship Groups:
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Desert Sages Games on Tuesdays from 10:00am – 12:30pm. Come make new friends, play a variety of card and board games, eat popcorn and then top it off with dessert! Held in Witherspoon Hall.
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Crafters Group on Thursdays from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Want to unleash your inner artist? Express your creative talents? Join our Crafters Group and bring your favorite project or try something new – adult coloring, painting, sketching, crochet and knitting – all skill levels and craft projects welcome. Meets in Witherspoon Hall 12/13.
Mission:
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Casa Maria Sandwich Day on Saturday, November 29 from 8:00 - 9:00am. If you want to participate - each brown bag lunch should include two sandwiches (no mayo please); one fruit item, and two cookies. Special note: If making a sandwich without meat, label the bag (PB&J for example). Donations of hygiene products and other non-perishable food items are welcome too!
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Sunday, November 30
8:30am Alternative Worship Service
9:45am One Fellowship Hour
11:00am Traditional Worship Service
4:00pm Thanksgiving Potluck
Monday, December 01
10:00am Men's Bible Study
6:00pm/7:00pm Cub & Boy Scouts
Tuesday, December 02
10:00am Desert Sages Games
6:00pm TOPS
6:30pm Deacons Meeting
Wednesday, December 03
10:00am Women's Bible Study
5:30pm Wednesday Night Meals
7:00pm Handbell Choir
7:30pm AA
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Thursday, December 04
10:00am Crafters Group
5:30pm PNC meeting
6:00pm AA meeting
Friday, December 05
Church office closed
Saturday, December 06
5:00pm Christmas Experience
Sunday, December 07
8:30am Alternative Worship Service
9:45am Sunday School
11:00am Traditional Worship Service
5:00pm Youth Group
| | Office Hours: The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00am – 4:00pm and closed on Fridays. You can contact Kate Kelly in the office at kate@immanuelpc.org or call (520) 296-2253 for assistance. Pastor Bart Smith's email is bart@immanuelpc.org. | |
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2025 Immanuel Elders
Liz Wallendorf, Clerk of Session
Bill Aurand – Building and Grounds
Cheralynn Baylor - Christian Education
Karl Aurand, Laurie Emery – Finance & Stewardship
Kevin Murphy, Sean Shifflette – Hospitality
Ann Jarvis, Cliff Fujii - Mission & Evangelism
Cliff Fujii, Ed Vander Woude, Liz Wallendorf - Personnel
Curt Christy, Ed Vander Woude – Worship
2025 Immanuel Deacons
Belinda Badger (Moderator), Carol Kienbaum (Co-Moderator), Marlene Stevens
Erminia Gomez, Bobbie Butler, Joy Shifflette, Kay Schmidt, Shawn Wooll
Paris Rebl, Wayne Barnes, Susan Barnes, Kathy Parker
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IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
9252 E. 22nd Street, Tucson AZ 85710 (520) 296-2253
www.immanuelpc.org
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