Come Thou Log Expectred Jesus

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV).

 

Today’s carol may be a bit unfamiliar to you. It is typically sung in the more liturgical churches. It is rooted in the rich heritage of the Methodist Church. John and Charles Wesley are responsible for this wonderful herald of the birth of Jesus. Though the Wesley’s never set out to start “Methodism” God used them to reform the Church of England and call it to both passion and application. If Luther’s reform in Germany was about orthodoxy, the Wesley’s reform in England 200 years later was about orthopraxy, or, “as much about what we do as what we believe.

 

While John Wesley was the preacher, Charles Wesley is best known for the hymns he wrote. One of the 18 Christmas carols Wesley wrote was “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.” This song not only laid out sound theology and Scriptural references, but called followers of Jesus to act in certain ways. The first verse points out Jesus has released us from our “fears and sins” (Romans 6:5-11). This is a theological truth, but the application of this truth is that we would find “our rest in Thee.”

 

In the second verse, Jesus is described as “a child, and yet a King (Isaiah 9:6-7).” Charles takes the next line, though, and drives it home, saying that Jesus was “Born to reign in us forever … Rule in all our hearts alone.” The application is not just to say that Jesus is the “King of Kings,” but to have Him be our King, the ultimate authority in our lives. This Christmas, as you hear this wonderful carol I hope you have a reformation of your practice. I encourage you to find your rest in Jesus, the ultimate authority in your life!