Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
So, I did not write Come Thou Long Expected Jesus…in case anyone was wondering :). It is amongst my favorite hymns. It is definitely my favorite Christmas/advent song. (Side note: Really, advent songs are WAY cooler than Christmas songs. Christmas songs are all well and good, but advent songs actually identify with our souls longing. It is the idea that the world is not yet as it should be, but we know that there is hope and restoration is coming! I am seriously plugging advent music. You should listen to it instead of Christmas music next year. You are welcome!).
But, the tragedy is that Come Thou Long Expected Jesus only has two verses!! How can one lead it in worship as a stand alone song if it is over in 3 seconds? So, I decided to remedy that. My goal was to make the last verse sound as much like the first two as possible. The chorus refrain is more modern, but it is musically as well. One of my peeps found a version with two more verses after I had been working on a third verse. But, I decided I liked my third verse better :). So, may we continue to long for our King’s second coming and I hope you enjoy this extended version of a great advent hymn.
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
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
Every fear removed
Every joy made new
In You our long expected Jesus
All our hopes fulfilled
Every striving stilled
In You our long expected Jesus
We remain in expectation
As Thy kingdom comes to earth
Groaning now for restoration
Let us live in second birth
Born in flesh, the Word appearing
Born with sons of men to dwell
Born, the light, in darkness, dawning
Jesus, Our Emmanuel