The Scriptures

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 34:17-19

32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,  33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end ... therefore the child to be born[ b] will be called holy—the Son of God."

Luke 1.32-35

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2.11

The Music

One shot to win. One last attempt. The Hail Mary pass. Hope is found in the most unlikeliest of places. The hymn, "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus", written by Charles Wesley in 1744 scribes the fulfillment of the hopes of all mankind. This reality not only touches one town or even a nation, but relieves the debt of an entire world - past, present, and future.

Consider the last stanza

By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

Consider the weight of the epiphany shared by those in the days of Christ who realized the fulfillment of their divine hope. The Holy Spirit spoke through John the Baptist's father, Simeon, and the prophetess Anna to confirm the developments of this amazing story.

The Christ child born humbly is called to be relied upon by all. Our life depends on His success. And succeed He does. Christ is cheered as our Champion and loved by His Kingdom.

The Challenge

We are called to welcome His Kingdom, to recognize His perfection in light of our condition and to pray to Him to bring us near to Himself.

As you worship through this song, consider the immense intention and forethought of our Father, the power and majesty of His only Son and rest your life in Him.