Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

So, I'm a blended worship girl.  I like it all.  I've loved hymns and preferred to keep them as part of worship, mostly because they come with a comforting childhood familiarity.  However, as I've worked my way through some of my favorite Christmas hymns, I'm finding another reason to love they hymns.  They are theologically dense.  I've heard this argument before, but I never bothered to really engage the thought process.  But, this December, as I study the lyrics of some of my favorite songs, and the truths they set to melody and bury deep in the recesses of my heart and mine, I am so thankful and in awe of what the writers have penned.  For most of these songs, I've tried to pick a specific verse or line to share with you.  Today, I can't narrow it down.  It's all good.

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 they glorious throne.

Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.  He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Luke 2:29-32