Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

As we journey through this Advent season, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on some of our beloved Christmas hymns. They are more than just beautiful melodies; they are rich with theology and profound meaning. One hymn that has particularly stood out to me is “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” written by the great Charles Wesley. This hymn is often sung at the beginning of Advent, beautifully capturing the longing in our hearts for Christ.

Charles Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist movement, gifted us with many hymns that we still sing today. But “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” feels especially meaningful as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. This hymn is not just a song—it’s a prayer, an expression of the deep longing of our hearts for Jesus and all that He brings.

Much like the people of Wesley’s time, we, too, have longings today. We long for security, love, peace, and purpose. Jesus provides all of that and more. He frees us from fear, He offers rest, He gives us hope, and He brings salvation. He reigns in our hearts now through the power of His Holy Spirit, and one day, He will reign over all the world. But until that day comes, we echo the words of the Psalmist, asking, “How long, LORD?” (Psalm 13:1). Waiting is hard, isn’t it?

As I’ve been reflecting on this beautiful hymn and using it in my own personal worship time, I’ve realized that “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” offers us three profound invitations during this season of Advent.

3 Profound Invitations from “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

1. The Invitation to Express Our Longings
As a loving Father, God desires to hear the longings of our hearts. So often, we feel guilty for our desires, and instead of bringing them to the Lord, we hide them. But God wants us to bring our true, unfiltered selves before Him. We don’t need to hide our deepest desires; we need to bring them to Jesus. Whether we realize it or not, our deepest longing is for more of Christ.

During this busy season, we can be so distracted by shopping, baking, and endless activities that we push that longing aside. This Advent, let’s make space to truly feel the desires in our hearts. Let’s bring them to Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to align our hearts with His, stirring up a deeper ache for Christ.

2. The Invitation to Wait with Expectation
Advent is a time of hopeful waiting. Yes, sometimes the wait feels long and hard, but we do not wait without hope. As the Psalmist wrote, “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3).

I ask you, where are you waiting for Christ to intervene in your life? What are you longing for Him to answer? Perhaps you’re praying for your marriage, for a wayward child, or for healing for yourself or a loved one. This hymn invites us to express the longings of our hearts and to wait with expectation. Let’s invite Christ into every aspect of our lives and wait with trust for His wisdom and intervention.

3. The Invitation for Christ to Rule Supreme in Our Hearts
Ultimately, our hearts will never be fully at rest until Christ reigns supreme in them. The glorious truth in this hymn is that Christ can reign in our hearts now, through the power of His Holy Spirit. As we surrender and invite the Holy Spirit to fill us completely, we find the rest our hearts are desperately seeking.

Come, Lord Jesus, we long for more of You. As we enter this Advent season, may You fill our hearts with a deeper experience of Your presence in our lives.

Question to Consider:
What are you waiting for? Have you invited Jesus into that situation?

Listen:
Take a few moments to listen to Shane & Shane’s rendition of “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.” As you listen, make this beautiful song the prayer of your heart.

As you enter Advent, I encourage you to dive into Tethered Trust, a small but powerful study of Isaiah 9:6, where the prophet foretells the coming of Jesus and reveals deep insights into His name. 

This week on the Connected Mom Podcast, we’re talking with Lauren Gaines about raising unshakable kids. You won’t want to miss it!