Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus |
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| Christian hymn | |
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| Occasion | Advent |
| Text | Charles Wesley |
| Meter | 8.7.8.7 |
| Melody |
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| Published | 1744 |
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" is a Christian hymn written in 1744 by Charles Wesley. It is often sung during Advent and Christmas by many Protestant churches. This hymn is considered a very important and lasting Christian song. People sing it using different tunes, like "Stuttgart," "Hyfrydol," and "Cross of Jesus."
Contents
The Story Behind the Hymn
In 1744, Charles Wesley was thinking about a Bible verse from Haggai 2:7. He also saw many children who had no parents and how people were divided by their social class in Great Britain. Thinking about these things, he wrote "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus." He based it on the Bible verse and an old prayer that said:
"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 changed this prayer into a hymn in 1744. He then published it in his book called "Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord." Wesley wanted people to remember that Advent and Christmas are about celebrating the birth of Jesus. He also wanted them to prepare for Jesus's return.
This hymn was one of Wesley's first "Festival hymns." These were special hymns published outside of the Methodist church by a German musician named John Frederick Lampe in 1746.
How the Hymn Became Popular
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" became well-known across different Christian groups in England. This happened thanks to a popular Baptist preacher named Charles Spurgeon. In 1855, when he was only 21, Spurgeon gave a Christmas sermon in London. He used parts of "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" to explain his message. He said that very few people are "born king," and Jesus was the only one born a king without being a prince.
Because of its growing popularity, the hymn was finally included in the Methodist Wesleyan Hymn Book in 1875. Before this, it had not been included because there wasn't an official tune for it. Today, "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" is not as famous as some other Christmas carols from that time, like "Joy to the World." However, it is still used to focus on the hope of Jesus's return.
What the Lyrics Mean
The words of "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" talk about God choosing to send a Messiah (a savior) to the world in the form of Jesus. It also talks about how the Old Testament Israelites hoped for the Messiah to come. They wanted him to take away their sins. The last line of the first verse might have been inspired by a philosopher named Blaise Pascal. He once said that there is a "God shaped vacuum" in every person's heart. This means there's an empty space that only God can fill.
The Music for the Hymn
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" is sung with several different tunes. We don't know which tune Charles Wesley first wanted for the hymn. This is why it wasn't in the Weslyan Hymn Book for a long time.
One of the first tunes used was "Stuttgart," written in 1716 by Christian Friedrich Witt. Another popular tune is "Hyfrydol," a Welsh tune from the 1800s by Rowland Hugh Prichard. This tune is also used for another of Wesley's hymns, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling." Both of these tunes are very popular. In the United Kingdom, the hymn is often sung to a tune called "Cross of Jesus." This tune was written by John Stainer for his work called The Crucifixion.
Lyrics
The original words by Charles Wesley have two parts, each with eight lines. These can also be divided into four parts, each with four lines.
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.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.
Two more parts were added to the middle of the hymn by Mark E. Hunt. These were used in a version published in the 1990 Trinity Hymnal.
Recorded Versions
Many artists have recorded "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus."
- Chris Tomlin included it on his Christmas album Glory In the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship.
- Brian Johnson sang a version on the 2010 album Love Divine: The Songs of Charles Wesley For Today's Generation.
- Fernando Ortega recorded it for his 2011 album Christmas Songs.
- Red Mountain Music included a version with all four verses on their album Silent Night.
- Meredith Andrews recorded it for her 2017 Christmas album Receive Our King.
- The Christian metal band Wolves at the Gate covered it on the Midnight Clear album from Solid State Records.
- Shane and Shane recorded a version for "A Worship Initiative Christmas, Vol 2" in 2018.
Images for kids
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Charles Wesley, the writer of "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus."
