Advent Day 12: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

The desire of all nations shall come—and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord Almighty. —Haggai 2.7

Charles Wesley, the younger brother of Methodist founder John Wesley, was a leader in the Methodist movement and writer of more than 6,000 hymns (that’s a lot of hymns!).

In 1744, Charles Wesley was reflecting on Haggai 2.7 and thought about the orphans in the community around him. He contemplated the significance of the class divisions in Great Britain… and it was in this train of thought that he wrote “Come, Thou long expected Jesus.”

At first, it began as a published prayer that included these words words:

“Born Your people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Your gracious kingdom bring. By Your own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by Your all sufficient merit, raise us to Your glorious throne. Amen.”

Wesley later adapted this prayer into a hymn in and published it in his “Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord” hymnal. The song not only reminds us of the significance of Advent and Christmas, but also encourages us to be looking for Christ’s return and reign.

Page CXVI is a Latifah Phillip’s band… they are known for rearranging and reworking hymns. I love her version of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.