Bible Verses for Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

I love Christmas carols. I especially love ones that focus on themes that are in the Bible.  This Christmas carol is packed full of theological concepts, which isn't surprising since it was written by Charles Wesley (Hark the Herald Angels Sing was also written by Charles Wesley).  It also focuses on the theme that I have been studying this Christmas season: Why Jesus was born.  If you want to delve deeper into some verses about why Jesus is born, you can check out my printable activity Why Jesus Was Born.

Here is a great version by Seacoast Worship:

Or from Meredith Andrews:

Here is Chris Tomlin's a capella worship version:

Or if you are used to hearing it with the tune Stuttgart instead of Hyfrydol:

I especially love this visual version, that shows how Jesus was being looked forward to throughout the story of the Bible.

No matter which version you like best, this Christmas carol is definitely a blessing.

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

by Charles Wesley, 1744

Verse 1:
Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Luke 2:38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,

Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Hebrews 4:3,10 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “As I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.... For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

Israel's strength and consolation,

Speaking of Simeon who was watching for the Messiah, in Luke 2:25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Joel 3:16 (KJV) The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Jeremiah 14:8 “O Hope of Israel, its Savior in time of distress, why are You like a stranger in the land or like a traveler who has pitched his tent for the night?"

Matthew 1218-21 “Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. “He will not quarrel, nor cry out; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A battered reed He will not break off, and A smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory. And in His name the Gentiles will hope.”

Dear desire of every nation,

Haggai 2:7 (KJV) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

Joy of every longing heart.

1 Peter 1:8-9 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Verse 2:
Born Thy people to deliver,

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Born a child and yet a King,

Ptophesying about Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

John 18:37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

1 John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”

By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;

Jeremiah 31:33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.