Lessons From CarolsNäide

One of the primary themes of Advent is anticipation. Jesus’ parents eagerly anticipated His birth. The shepherds anticipated going to see the child of whom the angels spoke. The Magi anticipated witnessing the child they had traveled so long to see. During the holiday season, children eagerly anticipate opening gifts on Christmas morning while adults anticipate feasting and celebrating with friends and family. The Christmas carol “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” perfectly captures this feeling of anticipation.

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. Joy to those who long to see Thee; Dayspring from on high, appear.

Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse, Of Thy birth, we long to hear!

Over the hills the angels singing; news, glad tidings of a birth;

“Go to Him your praises bringing Christ the Lord has come to earth!”

3. Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end.

By His life He brings us gladness, Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.

Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall;

This the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.

4. 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.

The lyrics to the first and fourth stanzas were written in 1744 by Charles Wesley. Despite their short length, Wesley’s two stanzas are rich in meaning, relying heavily on Old Testament prophecy and employing the language of the King James Bible. In 1978, Mark E. Hunt added the second and third stanzas.

The melody was written by Rowland Hugh Prichard in 1855 for inclusion in a children’s songbook. The melody is very popular with hymnists, as it is used for the hymns “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Love Divine All Loves Excelling,” “Alleluia! What a Savior,” as well as “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.”

The popularity of the carol skyrocketed after Charles Spurgeon used it in a Christmas sermon in 1855. Spurgeon spoke of how Jesus was the only one to be born a king without first being a prince. Following Spurgeon’s sermon, the hymn gained widespread popularity, eventually being included in hymnals of various denominations.

The viewpoint of the hymn is grounded in the hope of the Old Testament Jews for the coming Messiah. The lyrics present Jesus as the fulfillment of that hope. Wesley and Hunt looked beyond Christ’s first coming to His second. The anticipation of the nativity as communicated in the carol foreshadows the longing for Christ’s return. The lyrics tell what Christ will do: set His people free, release us from our fears and sins, deliver us, rule in our hearts, and raise us to His glorious throne. They also describe who He is: Israel’s strength and consolation, the hope of all of the earth, the desire of every nation, and the joy of every longing heart.

Luke 2:22-35 tells the story of Simeon. Simeon was an older man who lived in Jerusalem and had been eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah. God promised Simeon that he would not die until he had seen Him. On the eighth day after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be circumcised and presented to God. When Simeon saw Jesus, he picked Him up in his arms and blessed Him, saying, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Simeon was blessed to be part of the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” We can learn a lot from his response to witnessing Emmanuel. Simeon began praising God for fulfilling His promise and for sending a light for Gentiles and Jews. Our response in coming to know Jesus should mirror Simeon; we are to praise and thank God for sending salvation. We are also to tell those with whom we come into contact to eagerly anticipate His return.