Saturday, November 24, 2007

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Well, for another year we find ourselves in the midst of the Christmas season. We put our tree up today and from now on until December 25th, I have to fight with myself, once again, not to get caught up in all the commercialism. (Did I spell that right?)

Maybe posting a favorite seasonal hymn/carol each week will help keep us on track and focused. Let's start with this one by Charles Wesley, who you may recall wrote over 6,500 hymns. These are wonderful words to
meditate on as we remember our Lord's first coming and anticipate His second one.

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 ev'ry nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us for ever,
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
.

By the way, what's your favorite Christmas carol and what words in it mean the most to you?

9 comments:

sparrow's song said...

I thoroughly enjoy giving gifts at any time of the year.

However, holiday commercialism (and yes, you spelled it correctly - smile) is a royal pain with the pushy advertisements to rush out and get the latest and greatest thingamajig that may only end up collecting dust for the new whatchamacallit that'll be out demanding more idolatrous attention next year. Lord, please keep me from this attitude because we can and do all fall prey to it on occasion.

I stayed home on black Friday but heard rumors that they stampeded in the doors of Sears the moment it was open at 5 a.m. Last year they had to have the police come and supervise the lines of people waiting to purchase the Wii game. People were getting those games just to turn around sell them on ebay for twice the value. It's not so much the items as what those things negatively bring out in people. It kills the joy of giving.


Born a child, and yet a King

What a joy to ponder the mystery of God's love and ways. His thoughts and ways are higher. And they are beautiful and perfect as is His Son. We are His and He is ours, and that will never, ever change. That alone should be cause for celebration all year round.

verses that come to mind reading your post...
Romans 8:32(KJV)
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?


Romans 8(KJV)
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Thank you for being such a special sister in the Lord and for your bold witness for Christ.

Cathy said...

Maxine, I posted that hymn too. But I had trouble choosing pictures, so I'm not sure everyone knew it was a hymn. It's hard to say which is my favorite Christmas carol - probably O Holy Night. "O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Savior's birth."

Maxine said...

Oh wow, Sparrow. Didn't know about that Sears thing. I only hope the Lord will help me to maintain some of the little sanity I have left so that I never get caught in any lines for the new whatchamacallits and thingamajigs that they are forever coming up with.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Cathy, I guess we great minds think alike! I'll be over for a visit later to see what you're up to. I know, this hymn isn't one of the familiar ones, but aren't the words so rich?

~~Deby said...

Amen...in getting caught up....aaaARGH....
wow....Favorite hymn...first one that came to mind was O Holy Night...but Let me really think about this and get back to you, Maxine...btw...my blog has a post on it today about *the Season*
Deby

Beverly said...

My favorite Christmas carol is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." I like it because it is such a victorious hymn. "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!"

Susan said...

Oh Yes, Come Lord Jesus, COME!!!
Susan

Beka said...

It's hard for me to choose a favorite Christmas hymn-- there are so many I love-- but one of my favorites is Joy to the World. My favorite lines:
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found...

Sara said...

My favorite Christmas hymn is "Angels We Have Heard On High". It is so joyful and upbeat and always gets me in a better mood! Oh Holy Night is also another favorite one of mine. I love every part of this hymn, but especially this line: The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger; in all our trials born to be our Friend.

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

Perfect, Miss Maxine. Focusing completely on His coming! Amen and amen!