Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

The Story Behind Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

In 1744, Charles Wesley was reflecting on Haggai 2:7, a prophecy pointing to the coming Messiah:
“I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come.”

As Wesley looked at the world around him, he saw deep suffering — orphans in need, poverty, and stark class divisions throughout Great Britain. These realities stirred his heart and shaped the hymn’s longing tone.

Wesley also drew inspiration from a prayer circulating at the time, which included lines about Christ being “born to deliver,” “born a King,” and reigning eternally in the hearts of His people. He adapted the themes of that prayer into the hymn we know today.

That same year, he published the hymn in his collection Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord.

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How the Hymn Became Well-Known

“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” was the first of Wesley’s works, later called the Festival Hymns, a series eventually published beyond the Methodist movement by composer John Frederick Lampe in 1746.

The hymn gained even broader recognition through Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon, who quoted it in a Christmas sermon in London in 1855 — when he was only 21 years old. Spurgeon used the hymn to emphasize that Christ is uniquely born King, unlike earthly rulers who ascend to kingship over time.

Spurgeon’s influence helped popularize the hymn across denominations in England, securing its place as a beloved Advent carol.

Bible Inspirations for Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.

Haggai 2:7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21