It seems like each Christmastime, I come across a Christmas hymn/carol that God uses in my life to renew my heart with. A couple of years ago it was the song, "I Heard the Christmas Bells on Christmas Day"inspired originally by a poem from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The year after that it was Handel's Messiah, thanks to the Messiah sing-a-long that Marie and I attended at the Walt Disney concert hall.. This year it has been the 1800's hymn composed by Rowland H. Prichard and written by Charles Wesley, "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus."
In a year where political parties became even more polarized. In a year where Israel and the middle east is filled with more tension than I can ever remember seeing in my lifetime. In a year where we just witnessed tragedy striking innocent elementary school children and their families. This 19th century hymn speaks with more relevance than ever. Ron Rogalski, a fellow staff member of mine at Calvary Church Santa Ana led our staff through this beautiful hymn this past Tuesday at our staff chapel and ever since, I can't stop thinking about it and humming the simply tune that is packed with such hope and truth!
Here are the lyrics to "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Charles Wesley
In a year where political parties became even more polarized. In a year where Israel and the middle east is filled with more tension than I can ever remember seeing in my lifetime. In a year where we just witnessed tragedy striking innocent elementary school children and their families. This 19th century hymn speaks with more relevance than ever. Ron Rogalski, a fellow staff member of mine at Calvary Church Santa Ana led our staff through this beautiful hymn this past Tuesday at our staff chapel and ever since, I can't stop thinking about it and humming the simply tune that is packed with such hope and truth!
Here are the lyrics to "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Charles Wesley
- 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
Check out this version of the Hymn by Red Mountain Music off their "Silent Night" album.
By the way if you like this version, Red Mountain Church out of Alabama, has been at the forefront of the worship movement to bring back rearranged hymns into the modern day evangelical Church. You can find more of their songs at their website. - Also - I would be amiss, if I didn't mention that my home Church, Calvary Church has been going through a sermon series this December called, "Something to Sing About." We have taken classic Christmas hymns and drilled down a little deeper into the meaning and history of these songs in order to help our people sing this Christmas with more purpose and intentionality on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Check out our sermon series here.