For the fifth text of Christmas, this blogger gives to thee…
A similar though cheerier anticipatory text than Day 2, this hymn was written by the great Charles Wesley. Every line contains rich Scriptural illusions. The first verse shows our longing and need for the presence of Jesus. In the last verse, Wesley references the first coming of Jesus, the present kingdom and working of God in his people, and Christ’s second coming.
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.
2 Settings
While this text more frequently appears in hymnals under the tune STUTTGART, it is most commonly sung today to the tune HYFRODOL, which both of the settings below use.
This second setting has a few additional verses whose origins I could not confirm, though the final slide credits them to Wesley as well.
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