Christian rock band Skillet has released their first-ever Christmas song, a rock rendition of the classic hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” The release has drawn both praise and criticism online, with some calling the version “demonic” or anti-Christian. Lead singer John Cooper rejected those claims, explaining the heart behind the song.
“The reception for the song has been absolutely overwhelming,” Cooper said. “People seem to really love it.”
He emphasized the deep spiritual meaning behind the ancient hymn, calling it “a very, very ancient song,” and noting it is traditionally known as an Advent hymn. “It’s known as an Advent song that is singing for the first Advent of Jesus, the incarnation, the Savior, to come into the world, to take away the sin of the world.”
Cooper also highlighted the longing for Christ’s return: “The world is not going good … we are eagerly expecting the coming, the return of the King.”
He concluded, “He defeats the devil. He defeats the demons. He defeats the power of sin.”
