In 1744 Charles Wesley penned the famous Christmas hymn entitled, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” The words say:
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our peace in Thee
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. Long ago the prophets foretold the birth of the Son of God. Two of these important prophecies appear in the book of Isaiah. The prophet declares: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).
Again, Isaiah proclaims:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
While Isaiah predicted the birth of a special child, the prophet Micah boldly predicted the very place of this child’s birth. In chapter five of his prophecy, we read:
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).
These two prophets clearly foretold the birth of a child who would be one-of-a-kind in history in as much as the child would be born without the agency of a human father. As well, note carefully that Micah says this child is “from everlasting.” But how could a child conceived in the womb be without beginning?
Isaiah’s prophecy gives us a very clear answer to this question. He says the child is to be called Immanuel. This name literally means “God with us.” The New Testament expands upon this great truth in the first chapter of John’s gospel where we read:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14).
The child spoken of by the prophets is without beginning, or from everlasting, because he is God (the Word) incarnate. He is God come in the person of Jesus the Christ. This child is truly God and truly man in one person. But how can this be?
You may recall that the Virgin Mary had a similar question. Startled by the announcement of the angel that she would soon give birth to this special child, Mary humbly asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34).
The angel Gabriel proceeded to explain to Mary that the Holy Spirit would miraculously enable her to conceive and give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:35).
The long-awaited Seed of the Woman would be brought forth by the power of God. Miraculously, Mary would be found with child of the Holy Spirit. It is the mystery of this miracle that clothed God with a human nature.
As mentioned, John’s gospel reveals that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Furthermore, John proceeds to repeatedly state in his gospel that the Father “sent the Son.”
For example, Jesus states in John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” Again, we read in John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Numerous times in John’s gospel it is said that the Father sent his Son into the world. The point is this: the eternal Word (the eternally begotten Son of God) was sent to accomplish his Father’s will. The Son “came down from heaven.” The virgin conception clothed him with human nature. While he remained intrinsically God as a member of the Triune Godhead, the incarnation veiled the glory he had with the Father before the world began (John 17:5).
Elsewhere Scripture teaches it pleased the Father that in him (Jesus) should all the fullness of the Godhead dwell in bodily form. In the book of Colossians, the word of God reveals that “it pleased the Father that in him (Jesus, the Christ) should all fullness dwell . . . For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 1:19; 2:9).
Again, it pleased the Father that in the person of Jesus the Christ all the fullness of the Divine Nature would dwell in bodily form. Thus, the miracle of the virgin conception clothed the eternal Word with the human nature of the man Christ Jesus. In the person of Jesus, the Christ, the second distinct personality of the great Triune God of eternity came and dwelt among men.
Look again into the Bethlehem manger; the helpless child laying there wrapped in swaddling clothes was heaven’s child. Although he was God from all eternity past, he humbled himself. He made himself of no reputation, took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7). But why? Why did our Creator humble himself in this way?
The Bible says in the book of Hebrews that “he was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death . . . that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9).
This passage in Hebrews goes on to say, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil” (Heb. 2:14).
At the beginning in the Garden of Eden God promised Adam and Eve that in time the promised Seed of the Woman would “bruise the head of the serpent” (Genesis 3:15). However, in the process of doing so he would suffer a “heel wound.” This language speaks of the death of Christ.
God sent his only begotten Son into the world to free us from the power of death and bring the promise of eternal life. However, to do so required his death as a sacrifice for the sin of the world. Thus, he took upon himself human nature to die as the great sacrifice for our sin.
Think about this for a moment: the Son of God stepped down from his throne with a passion to free you from bondage to sin and death. The Scripture reveals that Jesus understood the Father prepared for him a body to be offered in sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:1-14). This means Jesus understood his great sacrifice was necessary to fully satisfy the Divine wrath against sin. He fully understood his death on our behalf was necessary to reconcile us to God.
Consequently, “for the joy that was set before him” he endured the cross. (Heb. 12:2). With joy he looked beyond the cross knowing his sacrificial death would purchase freedom for a world held in slavery to sin and death. Moved by a passionate desire to save us from our sins, he took upon himself human nature for the suffering of death.
In light of the Savior’s deep desire to deliver his own from the power of Satan, the message of the angel to the shepherds that holy night should fill our hearts with overflowing joy: “for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!”
Each Christmas season affords a fresh opportunity to journey back to Bethlehem to see this thing that is come to pass. Let us gaze again upon the unspeakable, indescribable, priceless gift of God—his only begotten Son. He is the miracle of Christmas. And he came just for you.
Conclusion
The last verse of the well-known hymn, O Little Town of Behtlehem, says:
O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.
Have you prayed the prayer found in this verse? Have you cried out to the Savior and said: “cast out my sin and enter in, be born in me today”?
Is there room in your heart and life for the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you confessed him as your Lord and Savior? The Bible says Jesus “came unto his own but his own received him not; but to as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe upon his name.”
I encourage you to humble your heart and call on the Lord Jesus for salvation. Make that decision today. Simply bow your head and tell the Lord, you now receive him as your Savior. Ask him to forgive you and save you. He will do it!
(For assurance of your salvation read Romans 10:9-13. All who call on the Lord placing faith in the Lord Jesus shall be saved!)
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our peace in Thee
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. Long ago the prophets foretold the birth of the Son of God. Two of these important prophecies appear in the book of Isaiah. The prophet declares: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).
Again, Isaiah proclaims:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
While Isaiah predicted the birth of a special child, the prophet Micah boldly predicted the very place of this child’s birth. In chapter five of his prophecy, we read:
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).
These two prophets clearly foretold the birth of a child who would be one-of-a-kind in history in as much as the child would be born without the agency of a human father. As well, note carefully that Micah says this child is “from everlasting.” But how could a child conceived in the womb be without beginning?
Isaiah’s prophecy gives us a very clear answer to this question. He says the child is to be called Immanuel. This name literally means “God with us.” The New Testament expands upon this great truth in the first chapter of John’s gospel where we read:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14).
The child spoken of by the prophets is without beginning, or from everlasting, because he is God (the Word) incarnate. He is God come in the person of Jesus the Christ. This child is truly God and truly man in one person. But how can this be?
You may recall that the Virgin Mary had a similar question. Startled by the announcement of the angel that she would soon give birth to this special child, Mary humbly asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34).
The angel Gabriel proceeded to explain to Mary that the Holy Spirit would miraculously enable her to conceive and give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:35).
The long-awaited Seed of the Woman would be brought forth by the power of God. Miraculously, Mary would be found with child of the Holy Spirit. It is the mystery of this miracle that clothed God with a human nature.
As mentioned, John’s gospel reveals that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Furthermore, John proceeds to repeatedly state in his gospel that the Father “sent the Son.”
For example, Jesus states in John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” Again, we read in John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Numerous times in John’s gospel it is said that the Father sent his Son into the world. The point is this: the eternal Word (the eternally begotten Son of God) was sent to accomplish his Father’s will. The Son “came down from heaven.” The virgin conception clothed him with human nature. While he remained intrinsically God as a member of the Triune Godhead, the incarnation veiled the glory he had with the Father before the world began (John 17:5).
Elsewhere Scripture teaches it pleased the Father that in him (Jesus) should all the fullness of the Godhead dwell in bodily form. In the book of Colossians, the word of God reveals that “it pleased the Father that in him (Jesus, the Christ) should all fullness dwell . . . For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 1:19; 2:9).
Again, it pleased the Father that in the person of Jesus the Christ all the fullness of the Divine Nature would dwell in bodily form. Thus, the miracle of the virgin conception clothed the eternal Word with the human nature of the man Christ Jesus. In the person of Jesus, the Christ, the second distinct personality of the great Triune God of eternity came and dwelt among men.
Look again into the Bethlehem manger; the helpless child laying there wrapped in swaddling clothes was heaven’s child. Although he was God from all eternity past, he humbled himself. He made himself of no reputation, took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7). But why? Why did our Creator humble himself in this way?
The Bible says in the book of Hebrews that “he was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death . . . that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9).
This passage in Hebrews goes on to say, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil” (Heb. 2:14).
At the beginning in the Garden of Eden God promised Adam and Eve that in time the promised Seed of the Woman would “bruise the head of the serpent” (Genesis 3:15). However, in the process of doing so he would suffer a “heel wound.” This language speaks of the death of Christ.
God sent his only begotten Son into the world to free us from the power of death and bring the promise of eternal life. However, to do so required his death as a sacrifice for the sin of the world. Thus, he took upon himself human nature to die as the great sacrifice for our sin.
Think about this for a moment: the Son of God stepped down from his throne with a passion to free you from bondage to sin and death. The Scripture reveals that Jesus understood the Father prepared for him a body to be offered in sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:1-14). This means Jesus understood his great sacrifice was necessary to fully satisfy the Divine wrath against sin. He fully understood his death on our behalf was necessary to reconcile us to God.
Consequently, “for the joy that was set before him” he endured the cross. (Heb. 12:2). With joy he looked beyond the cross knowing his sacrificial death would purchase freedom for a world held in slavery to sin and death. Moved by a passionate desire to save us from our sins, he took upon himself human nature for the suffering of death.
In light of the Savior’s deep desire to deliver his own from the power of Satan, the message of the angel to the shepherds that holy night should fill our hearts with overflowing joy: “for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!”
Each Christmas season affords a fresh opportunity to journey back to Bethlehem to see this thing that is come to pass. Let us gaze again upon the unspeakable, indescribable, priceless gift of God—his only begotten Son. He is the miracle of Christmas. And he came just for you.
Conclusion
The last verse of the well-known hymn, O Little Town of Behtlehem, says:
O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.
Have you prayed the prayer found in this verse? Have you cried out to the Savior and said: “cast out my sin and enter in, be born in me today”?
Is there room in your heart and life for the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you confessed him as your Lord and Savior? The Bible says Jesus “came unto his own but his own received him not; but to as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe upon his name.”
I encourage you to humble your heart and call on the Lord Jesus for salvation. Make that decision today. Simply bow your head and tell the Lord, you now receive him as your Savior. Ask him to forgive you and save you. He will do it!
(For assurance of your salvation read Romans 10:9-13. All who call on the Lord placing faith in the Lord Jesus shall be saved!)
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