Some general notes on Advent’s Classic, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

1. Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,

The hymn begins with longing. Like most hymns, this one offers longing and fulfillment. It’s fascinating how older hymns imitate the pattern of the psalms. “Here is my longing, and here is how that longing will be fulfilled.”

For centuries, Jesus was expected. And the way you keep expectations alive is by talking about it, singing about it, surrounding your life around this hope. This is how the Church operated before Jesus.

 
Born to set Thy people free,

The entire purpose of the incarnation was to liberate us from sin’s captivity; to unshackle us from our bondage to the first Adam. Messiah’s fundamental role was to unburden his people…from what?

From our fears and sins release us,

Messiah doesn’t come generically; he comes specifically to release us from two things: a) sins: the dominion of the flesh in our lives. Theologically, no one slept as well before Jesus as you do after Jesus. The OT saint said: “Tomorrow is just another day to offer sacrifices.” “Tomorrow is another day to long.” Imagine what it meant to sleep before Messiah? Always longing, never seeing. Think about that.

But Jesus also came to release us from our fears: from the sense that everyone is out to get you, from the religious fear that our God is waiting to crush us and send us the east wind of his wrath. Advent says, “No, our fears are given over to him.” Jesus carries our concerns and cares.

Let us find our rest in Thee:

But the question then arises: If we are released from our sins and fears, where do we go? We need more than release. We need a Place/Person to go to. The hymn-writer says that when we are weary from carrying these burdens, Jesus gives us a place to restore our soul; to find refreshment in Himself. He releases us and calls us to rest in Him.

Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear Desire of every nation,
     Joy of every longing heart.

One of my favorite lines is towards the end: “Dear Desire of Every Nation.” You may think, “But Jesus is certainly not desired by every nation.” It’s true, which is why the final line says that he is the joy of every longing heart. To those who long for a deliverer, they will find Jesus to be their joy and hope. They will need no other Messiah. He will be their deepest desire.

2. Born Thy people to deliver,
     Born a child and yet a king,
Born to reign in us for ever,
     Now Thy gracious kingdom bring:
By Thy own eternal Spirit
     Rule in all our hearts alone,
By Thy all-sufficient merit
     Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Verse 2 is the fulfillment verse. Verse one begins with “Come,” and verse 2 begins with “Born.” Promise and fulfillment. Three details about the theology of verse 2:

First, Jesus’ kingdom identifies itself with children, which is why he was born of a woman. The contrast is clear here. Adam was created as an adult. But Jesus is given to us as a child. Adam needed to be a man to rule; Jesus was ruling as a baby: “Born a child and yet a king.”

Second, is the nature of his kingdom. The first-century Jews who longed wanted a revolutionary kingdom, one that would overthrow current authority structures, but Jesus’ kingdom is gracious, not soft, but gracious. In other words, it changes hard hearts. We are not part of a kingdom led by a murderer. Jesus’ kingdom is a kingdom of a servant.

Finally, Charles Wesley asks us to pray: “Raise us to thy glorious throne.” The Christmas hope is not only that we would find peace on earth and good-will toward man, but that we would be seated in heavenly places; that we would enjoy the glories of heaven; it begins with birth and ends with continual glory after death.

It’s truly a remarkable hymn. I hope you see some of these things next time you sing this great Advent hymn.