For The Musical Believers: As Advent Is Here …

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Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13b

If you are a music minister or in any other way involved with the music at your church…

Last year, one of the surprising “firsts” for me was hearing the 700-or-so voices of my church singing song lyrics I had written! A few years before, our choir director had made a passing remark about how much he loved the Advent song, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” and that he wished there were more than two verses.

The songwriter in me declared, Challenge accepted! I went home and wrote two more verses.

Jesus’ “coming” has several meanings: His Incarnation (entering the world as one of us), His Resurrection (coming out of the grave), and the still “long expected” Second Coming.

The following verses are the ones I wrote. They are not copyrighted. I am OK with other churches singing them. In fact, I would be thrilled! So, please feel free to use them, or give them to your choir director or worship leader with my blessing. 

Come, Thou whom the prophets promised,
Thou of whom the cantors sing.
Come, Immanuel, God, be with us,
Thou our Prophet, Priest and King.
Jesus, Thou art all perfection,
Thou, whose fellowship we crave;
Thou the Life and Resurrection,
Come redeem us from the grave.

Come, Thou King, receive Thy kingdom;
With the angels, split the skies!
Come with clouds and trumpet sounding,
Bid Thy slumb'ring children rise.
Gather in Thine arms so tender
Sinners saved through faith alone,
Through the gates of heav'nly splendor
Unto our eternal home.

One final note: Even though I am not asking for royalties from these verses, if your church uses them, I would love to know about it. I would appreciate any messages in the comments, letting me know in what part of the country (or world!) these lyrics are being sung. It would truly be one of the best Christmas presents I've ever received. ❤
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we celebrate and anticipate Your coming to this world, fix our eyes on the wonder of the Incarnation. Fill us with a joy that overflows and can't wait to tell others the Good News that You love us enough to come and save us. In Your name we pray, amen.
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Published by seekingdivineperspective

I am a forgiven sinner and adopted child of God, seeking to see life from His perspective - as opposed to the world's flawed perspective - and living my life accordingly.

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15 thoughts on “For The Musical Believers: As Advent Is Here …”

  1. Wow, you are very talented my friend. I pray that your song is sung far and wide and inspires others to come to God.
    Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Day and have a blessed Christmas Day.

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    1. Sorry, Pete, I didn’t record the church singing them, but “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” is very well known in some denominations. You can probably find recordings/videos pretty easily. My verses just use the same melody as the first two verses.
      I hope that helps.

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