I love to know the stories behind the songs we sing in worship. Often times it helps us to understand and appreciate even more the message of the song. During Advent, I will devote Fridays to telling the stories of some of my favorite Christmas hymns in hope that you will experience the love of God more fully this year.
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
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.
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 all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
This hymn was written by Charles Wesley who, along with his brother John Wesley, are considered the founders of the Methodist church. While John was predominately a teacher and evangelist, Charles was both a preacher and song writer/poet. In his lifetime, Charles wrote over 7000 hymns, many of which are still being sung today in churches all over the world.
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