Come, Thou Long Expected One!

We have learned to wait.

It is not our favorite thing, but since life does not move on our timetable, we wait and we fill our days, hours, and years with as much meaning and anticipation as we can.

Advent is about waiting.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us ... - Luke 1:78

My mid goes back to childhood, that stage of life when waiting is such a stretch of endurance.

I would nearly burst with excitement as I anticipated the visits of distant relatives - especially at Christmas. Their suitcases always contained gifts. Their stories always transported me to distant places. And their jokes always seemed funnier than any I had heard for a long time.

I remember the emotions of wonderment and joy and, at times, disappointment when our guests suddenly had a change of plans and could not come.

The waiting would start all over again.

God’s people had been waiting for a long, long time. Most had stopped watching – stopped believing that He would really come. Their hearts had grown cold, their hopes had dimmed or even died.

Still others prayed and remained alert. They knew the visitation would come, that the dayspring would spring forth and hope would arise on the earth. They were waiting for Jesus and knew it not. To such, He appeared in the fullness of time.

Such tender mercy that God shows toward those who toil through the night. Dayspring comes. It bursts forth in the darkness and illuminates every hidden thing. With Him are freedom, hope, consolation, and joy. In Him all of our longings are answered. Anticipation is rewarded and gifts are abundant.

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 hope and consolation.

Hope of all the earth Thou art,

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.