Friday, December 15, 2023  

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Today’s Hymn

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.

Charles Wesley’s “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
from Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal

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Reflection

The church I grew up attending did not bother singing Advent hymns. Bring on the Christmas hymns! I will admit it was a little bit of a rude awakening to come to Fourth Church and honor Advent with the appropriate music choices.

Looking at the text of this hymn, with multiple appearances of the word born you could think this is a Christmas hymn. But it is missing a discussion of mangers, shepherds, and angels. Not to mention the tempo of the song is much slower than my favorite Christmas hymns.

Instead of the celebration of Christmas, Advent is a time of waiting, of expectation — the knowledge that there are still great things to come. It is not just about Jesus Christ who was born more than 2,000 years ago. It is about the Holy Spirit and the faith that Jesus Christ will come again. That someday God’s people will live with freedom from fear and sin. As we sing this hymn may we blend memory and hope, knowing that Jesus has come and will come again.

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Prayer
God, help me to live standing in the lessons from the past and with hope towards the future. Amen.

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Written by Katie Patterson, Manager of Worship and Youth Ministry Programs

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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