Advent Devotional: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
The Advent season is a unique season in the life of the church when we look both backward and forward. During Advent, we reenact the yearning Israel had for a coming Messiah. And at the same time, we also anticipate the second coming of the Messiah. Perhaps no song captures this two-fold longing like Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus. Charles Wesley penned this tune in 1744. The lyrics began as a prayer he formulated while contemplating the class divide and poverty of Great Britain at the time. Some time later, Wesley brilliantly turned this broken-hearted prayer into a poetic masterpiece.
Like so many great works of art, this piece connects on several levels. First, these lyrics are grand enough to speak into the cosmic effects of sin (poverty, for example) yet precise enough to also speak to us on a personal level. For example, this Messiah is “born a child and yet a king.” As Spurgeon pointed out, “men are born princes but are seldom born kings.” This king is going to rule and reign in a just and righteous way. He’s going to bring about peace and flourishing. He has the power to make all the sadness come untrue. This is the “gracious kingdom” He brings. Yet, He also ministers to us in a uniquely personal way. He will release us from our fears and sins. He will be the provider of the rest we seek. And He will be the joy of our longing hearts.
Even the grammar in this song is inspiring. Imperative verbs are used six times in Wesley’s original stanzas. ‘Come,’ ‘release,’ ‘find,’ ‘bring,’ ‘rule,’ ‘raise,’ — these words help us retroactively tap into Israel’s longing but also point to the future. The kingdom is present but not yet. Jesus is making all things new but brokenness still persists. ‘Come, thou long expected Jesus,’ is a past truth to rejoice in but also a future promise to cling to.
For 277 years, this song has nourished the church. These lyrics have endured because they contain a tapestry of rich biblical allusions (at least 16 distinct scriptural references). They tell us that Jesus was born for a purpose. And they weave together complex truths into a cohesive story that invites us in.
With familiar songs, we have a tendency to mentally disconnect from the lyrics and robotically voice the words. The next time you sing, or hear, this song — fight that impulse. Remember the song’s noble origin. Recall the hope it points us to. And then sing this song, fully engaging your mind and soul, knowing that Jesus is the joy of your longing heart.
Lyrics*
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Joy to those who long to see thee, Dayspring from on high, appear;
come, thou promised Rod of Jesse, of thy birth we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing news, glad tidings of a birth;
“Go to him, your praises bringing; Christ the Lord has come to earth.”
Come to earth to taste our sadness, he whose glories knew no end;
by his life he brings us gladness, our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall;
this the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.
Born Thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by Thine own sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.
