Week 2: Peace

The Prince of Peace Prophesied

I don’t know about you, but last week’s lessons in Genesis were so rich and encouraging. From the moment that sin entered the world, God’s plan of redemption has been in motion, often messy but always beautiful, fostering hope! During this second week of Advent, we’ll focus on the theme of peace and will light the second purple candle on our Advent wreath. More specifically, we will take a deep dive into the book of Isaiah and see how this theme of true peace was woven throughout Isaiah’s prophecies. We will sing the hymn, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, each day this week. Interestingly, this song makes no direct mention of peace, yet that is the emotion that I experience as I sing each line. I expect you will too.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, by Charles Wesley (1744)

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.

Charles Wesley, the prolific British hymn writer, penned these words as an Advent anthem in 1744. Having recently been ordained in the Church of England, Charles, along with his brother, John Wesley, was preaching the gospel across Britain. Along their journey, the Wesley brothers were exposed to the desperation of so many marginalized and poor in their country, cast down  with little hope. Wesley recognized their need for hope, for peace and comfort, for joy, and looked to the prophet Isaiah for inspiration.

Listen for the yearning for peace in the midst of the chaos of Israel’s world in the first verse above. There is a longing to be set free from the fears and sins that so easily entangle, to find perfect rest, consolation, peace in Christ alone.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Charles Wesley (1744)

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 Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus | Christmas Lyric Video | Reawaken Hymns