December 1: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

First Week of Advent: Hope

December 1: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (Welsh) - Link & Lyrics Below

When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, . . . to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4,5

When the great clock of time pointed to the hour of the fullness of time, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The world was ripe for the coming of the long-awaited deliverer. God sent his son to save us, to release his people from fears and sins, that we can find our rest in him.

As we look back and celebrate the Nativity of Christ at Christmas, we also look forward to the promised return of Christ at the Second Coming. The words of this hymn beautifully convey a heartfelt double meaning of Celebration and Expectation.

The events and turmoil of our world today have many expressing anxiously, “Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free”.

But to me, the most comforting words in the hymn are, “By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone." If all people allowed the Spirit of God to truly rule in their hearts, what a different world this would be.

Apart from God, humanity cannot be uplifted. Through his Spirit he desires to create in us a new heart and restore us to the image of our Maker, to raise us to his glorious throne of Peace.

And once again, when the fullness of the time is come, Jesus will appear in all his glory and fulfill the expectation of his Second Coming.

Pastor Paul Kenyon
Sturgeon Bay Seventh Day Adventist


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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 all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

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