Scripture References:
st. 1=2 Cor. 4:14, Rev. 3:21
st. 3-4 =Isa. 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19, Rom. 6:22
Charles Wesley (PHH 267) wrote this Advent hymn and printed it in his Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord (1744). Like so many of Wesley's texts, "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" alludes to one or more Scripture passages in virtually every phrase. The double nature of Advent is reflected in this text, in which we remember Christ's first coming even while praying for his return. Stanzas 1 and 2 recall Advent prophecies in the Old Testament; stanza 3 speaks of Christ's birth and kingdom, and stanza 4 is a prayer for Christ's rule in our hearts.
Liturgical Use:
Advent; Christmas and Christmas carol/lesson worship services; worship that stresses the second coming.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
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Come, Thou long expected Jesus. C. Wesley. [Christmas.] Appeared in Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord, 1744, No. x., in 2 stanzas of 8 lines. The tract in which it appeared formed the first of those called the "Festival Hymns," which were subsequently published by Lampe in 1746. It was not included in the Wesleyan Hymn Book until the revised edition of 1875, No. 688, although it was given by Whitefield in his Collection, 1753, and later editions; by Madan, in his Psalms & Hymns, 1760; by Toplady, in his Psalms & Hymns, 1776; and by others. It is found in a great number of hymnals in Great Britain and America, specially those of the Church of England, and usually without alteration, as in Hymnal Companion, No. 96. A marked departure from this rule is, "Come, O Saviour, long expected," which appeared in Hall’s Mitre, 1836, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, and again in the New Mitre, 1875, in 6 stanzas, the last two stanzas being Edward Osier's doxology, "Worship, honour, glory, blessing," from the older Mitre, 1836, No. 282. Other altered forms are, "Come, Thou Saviour, long expected," in Kennedy, 1863, No. 89, "Hail, Thou long expected Jesus," in the American Protestant Episcopal Hymnal, 1871. Original text, Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. iv. p. 116.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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Come, Thou long expected Jesus, p. 252, ii. This is rendered into Latin by H. M. Macgill, 1876, No. 17, as "Veni Jesu ter Optate."
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)
Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >
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