Joy of Every Longing Heart

Third Week of Advent: "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"

In 1744, Charles Wesley was preaching the Gospel through England. In between his engagements, he passed on the streets children in need—orphans doing what they had to do to survive with menial labor or begging or worse. It’s not hard to picture how they looked at Charles as he exited churches full of well-dressed Christians. The incongruency of preaching good news and witnessing such impoverishment sparked a longing in Charles to see this upside-down world overturned, and he wrote this hymn.

For an Advent song, there is a startling lack of a manger scene or nativity story here—no angels or shepherds. This is a hymn about longing for Christ to come again in justice and glory. It’s also a hymn that positions us who sing it as part of a people who have been long waiting for this savior.

We experience the absence of justice everywhere—in our own relationships and among the nations. Still we wait in anticipation that Christ will come to make us right and whole. This waiting is active because Jesus has, indeed, already come into the world. So to engage our desire for him is to actually create room for him to reign within us now.

This is a waiting that builds our hope, that strengthens our resolve and resilience to work for the kingdom Jesus introduced. This longing allows us to find joy and light where the world sees darkness because we know God’s nearness.

To Pray

Jesus, you are our strength and consolation, the joy of every longing heart. Help me to recognize you in your coming to me today, especially as you are present with those who suffer.

Holy One, I find my rest in you.

To Ponder

What incongruencies do I notice in my corner of the world?