You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Charles Wesley’ tag.
I was raised in a United church and it was there that I learned about – and learned to love – God.
Without realizing it at the time, I learned a lot more too. Through the liturgy, I learned about the seasons of the Christian calendar. Through the readings I learned the great passages of Scripture. Through the hymns I sensed the power of joining my voice in corporate worship, and learned that I was part of a community of fellow believers who had raised their voices together in praise to God for two thousand years.
Through the Prayer of Confession I was reminded–week after week–of my failings and sin, and through the Assurance of Pardon, I became convinced of God’s mercy and grace.
Yes, at times, it seemed boring and as if it was all done by rote. And yes, at times, the fact that any emotion experienced by worshippers was kept very much on the inside of those worshipping, made services appear to be lacking in passion and even authenticity. So perhaps it’s not surprising that as a young adult, I was attracted to evangelical forms of worship that seemed more spontaneous and thus also, somehow, more genuine.
But there was a mystery, richness, beauty and depth in the liturgy that–as I grow older–I sometimes find myself longing for. Never more so than on a day like today; the first Sunday of Advent.
And so–when we sang this great hymn of the faith–and of my childhood–by Charles Wesley, in my little evangelical church this morning, it was all I could do to hold back the tears.
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, thou long expected Jesus!
Born to set your 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 your people to deliver, Born a child, and yet a king,
Born to reign in us for ever, Now your gracious kingdom bring.
By your own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By your all sufficient merit
Raise us to your glorious throne.
- By Charles Wesley
