When did you first hear the story of Jesus’ birth? Do you remember? Maybe you feel like you’ve always known it.

Sometimes it can be hard for us to remember that God’s people waited many long years for Jesus to be born. Advent is a season that helps us to remember this. Ever since Adam & Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God’s people had been expecting Jesus, even though they didn’t know exactly what it would be like when he came. 

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus is a simple song that helps us to remember that Jesus’ birth is a part of the big story of the Gospel. Just like God’s people waited for Jesus to be born, we wait for the day when we will be with Jesus forever, as he rules over all the earth. 

Lyrics

Verse 1
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.

Verse 2
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.

Text: Charles Wesley (1745)
Music: HYFRYDOL, Rowland H. Prichard (1830)
Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
Copyright: Public Domain

This hymn is featured in our advent worship guide!