ADVENT DAY 23: "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus!"

Just a little note today...there may be some people in "high places" who feel that we have no hope...but I beg to differ.  We, the children of God, have EVERY reason to hope...not only in our nation and homes...but deep within our hearts.  I pray that you have this great hope in you as well!

Open this window to embrace the Hope of our "Long- Expected Jesus"

One of many lovely Christmas cards received from friends in previous years.

As the days of our lives grow shorter and shorter...as we see the distress of all the earth groaning and waiting for the return of the Messiah..we have great hope...as did the prophets of old...read here what the prophet Isaiah said about the first Advent of our Savior:

"And He will destroy on this mountain

the surface of the covering cast over all the people,

And the veil that is spread over all nations.

He will swallow up death forever,

And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces;

The rebuke of His people 

He will take away from all the earth;

For the Lord has spoken!

And it will be said in that day:

'Behold, this is our God; 

We have waited for Him, 

and He will save us.

This is the Lord;

We have waited for Him;

We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation!"

Isaiah 25:7-9

Isaiah was watching for the Messiah to come 800 years before He actually came to earth the first time. Can you imagine the longing that filled his heart...he was yearning for a Savior...and even though he wrote through the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit, Isaiah never got to see the Messiah come to earth.  But he had great hope...great expectations.  

When I read those verses, I have the joy and privilege of knowing the Jesus about Whom Isaiah was writing.  No, I've never actually seen His face physically here on the earth, but I know Him personally, I know that Jesus has fulfilled every aspect of Isaiah's prophetic passage above.  I know that He has "swallowed up death forever"...and that He has wiped the tears away from my face many times.  I know that He is the Lord...and He has saved us!  

Now we are awaiting His return to earth...no longer as a baby...but coming to set us free...to deliver us...to reign in us forever...and to  "raise us to Thy glorious throne..."

"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"

By Charles Wesley

"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 every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring.

By Thy own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Amen."

Another Christmas card from Christmas' past.

Yes, "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus!"