Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

The Indescribable Gift, Day 1: "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world."Luke 2:1 (NIV)

"…the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith…"Romans 16:25-26 (NIV)

Hang the Day 1 card and learn its verse. Each day adds the next verse of Luke 2, and by Day 20 your family will know Luke 2:1-20.

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Say the verse aloud, then hide a few more words and try again. Tap a hidden word to peek.

Today's reading carries this carol's name. Charles Wesley wrote it in 1744. It is Tuesday's carol all season.

Verse 1

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.

Verse 2

Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Verse 3

Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

Verse 4

By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

Words: Charles Wesley, 1744.

• God revealed his plan a little at a time, over thousands of years. Where do you need patience to trust a plan you can't fully see?
• The faithful waited for Christ's first coming. Set your hope on his second coming: what would it mean to think a lot about heaven today?

Write these five promises on slips of paper and hide them around the house. Kids find them, then read them aloud in this order. The last one points to the manger.

1. Genesis 3:15 · the woman's offspring will crush the serpent's head
2. Genesis 22:18 · all nations blessed through Abraham's offspring
3. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 · a Son of David whose kingdom lasts forever
4. Isaiah 7:14 · the virgin will give birth to Immanuel
5. Isaiah 9:6 · to us a child is born, to us a son is given

Father, thank you that no one can stop your plan. Make us long for Jesus like your people of old.