Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

This has been a unique Christmas to end a unique year. I weep for those who are sick or are anticipating a Christmas without loved ones. 

While some of our plans have had to be adjusted, I'm grateful that one of the things we were able to keep was Christmas caroling. Our family spent two evenings walking the streets of a small city near us, singing Christmas songs with several other families. Some of the people we sang to said they had never heard carolers before.

Carols are always a reminder that Jesus came, not just to give us lights and yummy food each year, but to bring us hope for the future. I don't think we can hardly imagine how much the Jews in Jesus' time were anticipating the arrival of the Messiah. They were in bondage both to sin and to a foreign government and they longed for a Redeemer and Savior.

Hopefully 2020 reminded us that we are not in control of events and that we need hope in Jesus. We need set free from our fears and sins through the power of His blood.

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

by Charles Wesley

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 own sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne

Here is a video to hear a virtual choir sing this hymn. (If viewing this by email, click over to the blog.)