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You bring the Hymnal, I'll bring the History
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Charles Wesley wrote our Christmas hymn, “Come, Thou, Long-Expected Jesus.” He also wrote 17 other Christmas carols. He did not want to just paint a picture of Jesus in the manger; he wanted the entire Christmas story to have a personal application. Wesley wanted to impress God’s people that Jesus is not only the “desire of every nation” but should be the personal “joy of every longing heart.” We also know that Jesus has the “government on his shoulders” but he was born to reign personally “in us.”

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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.
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