Come, thou long-expected Jesus

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus. Charles Wesley* (1707-1788). First published in Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord (1744) in two 8-line stanzas. The Primitive Methodist Hymnal (1887, 1889) divided it into four 4-line stanzas, in which form it has since then almost invariably been printed. In stanza 1, line 3, the original verb, ‘relieve’, was replaced by ‘release’ in the 1777 edition, and is now in general use: 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 loving heart. Born Thy people to deliver,...