by Don Chapman
Try using Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus to open any December praise set as a call to worship! The uplifting lyrics of this classic Advent hymn beautifully prepare our hearts for worship and the Christmas season. As we sing of Jesus as the “long-expected” Savior, we recall the hopeful anticipation of His coming. And as we reflect on the hymn’s themes of deliverance, freedom from sin, and Christ’s eternal reign in our hearts, we ready our spirits to receive anew the wonder of Emmanuel, God with us.
The History Behind 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.
When Charles Wesley wrote the meaningful words to “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” in 1744, he voiced the shared hope and excitement of the coming Messiah. Having become a minister in the Church of England with his brother John just a year before, Wesley was moved by the needs of the outcasts he met to write hymns that would get people ready for Jesus at Christmas.
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.
Though only two short verses, “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” has deep meaning. Drawing from Old Testament prophecies, Wesley imagined the place of Israelites who had long begged for the Savior. His lyrics don’t just capture Jesus’ first coming in Bethlehem, but also look ahead to Christ’s future return and eternal rule. To add to Wesley’s vision, I’ve penned a new third verse for this Advent song. By singing all three verses, we link our own longing for Jesus with the ancient Israelites’ common hope for the Messiah’s arrival. Wesley’s thoughtful words redirect our wonder toward the manger where divinity entered humanity.
Try Using These Popular Worship Songs With Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Even So Come by Passion feat. Kristian Stanfill: This song is about the second coming of Christ and the eager expectation of His church. It declares that “all of creation, all of the earth, make straight a highway, a path for the Lord” and that “we wait for You, we wait for You”. It also invites Jesus to come as “the King of glory, the King above all kings” and “the Lord Almighty, the Lord of lords”. This connects to the carol’s theme that Jesus is born to bring His gracious kingdom.
King Of Kings by Hillsong Worship is a retelling of the gospel story, from the incarnation of Jesus to His death and resurrection, and His reign over all creation. It celebrates the majesty and glory of Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords, who has redeemed us by His grace and made us His own. It matches with the carol’s theme of Jesus being born a child and yet a king, who is the hope of all the earth and the joy of every longing heart.
He Shall Reign Forevermore by Chris Tomlin rejoices in the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise and plan. It proclaims that “unto us a child is born, the King of kings and Lord of lords” and that “He shall reign forevermore”. It also describes how Jesus came as a humble baby in a manger, but also as the mighty God who holds all things together. It connects with the carol that Jesus is born a child and yet a king and Israel’s strength and consolation.
Download Sheet Music, Chord Charts and Multitracks for Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus
This Christmas, bridge the gap between timeless hymns and modern worship by leading your congregation with this fresh arrangement of Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus. A Worshiphymns.com subscription provides instant access to everything you need – sheet music, PDF guitar chords charts, ChordPro chord charts, stereo accompaniment track, click track, guide cues and studio-quality, original master recording multitracks – for blended worship with depth.
