Charles Wesley (1707-1788) was one of the world’s most prolific hymn lyric writers (publishing some 6000 during his lifetime, with perhaps another 2000 written but not published). The words to “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus” have been set to the tunes Stuttgart and Jefferson, but most people probably know it set to Hyfrydol, by Welsh musician Rowland Pritchard (1811-1887).

 It is one of the best-known Advent hymns — that is, it helps us ponder on the time of waiting before we actually get to Christmas, as much as on Christmas itself.  It is commonly published with just the first and last stanzas: but the middle two are also quite stirring. The line “Come, thou promised Rod of Jesse, of thy birth we long to hear!” is an allusion to Isaiah 11:1. “Come to earth to taste our sadness, he whose glories knew no end” calls to my mind Hebrews 12:2 and Philippians 2:6-8, with their descriptions of Jesus setting aside his eternal place to take on human suffering.

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.

Joy to those who long to see thee
Dayspring from on high, appear;
Come, thou promised Rod of Jesse,
Of thy birth we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing
News, glad tiding of a birth,
“Go to him, your praises bringing;
Christ the Lord has come to earth.”

Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end;
By his life he brings us gladness
Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.

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.

Here’s a nice version of the hymn, with all four stanzas, by Red Mountain Music.