Track 4: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Author: Charles Wesley, 1744

Tune(s): Stuttgart, Hyfrydol, Cross of Jesus

This hymn was written by Charles Wesley, who is regarded as one of the greatest hymn-writers of all-time. I found it interesting that he was the 18th and youngest child in his family.

This hymn is a full and beautiful expressiion of Advent, reflecting on Jesus’s first coming and looking forward to his second. What we waited for and what we now wait for, promises fulfilled and a promise yet to come. My favorite line is, (Jesus is the) “Joy of every longing heart”, reminding us that we all have a “longing” in our hearts and those who find Jesus will satisfy this longing. The gift only God can give.

I was not familiar with this hymn but the hyfrodol tune is very familiar to me and has been playing in my head for days now.

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