joy of every longing heart

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

- Luke 2:26 (NKJV)

 

There are things that we wait a very long time to see.
We might wait to hear about a test result or wait to see what happens next on our favorite TV series.
We might wait for our food to be delivered or wait for the sun to rise each day. 
I don’t think that anyone waited as long as Simeon to see the Christ child. 
Simeon was a man of God who was promised by the Lord that he would live long enough to see the Messiah on earth, some say he was 112 years old.
Charles Wesley wrote Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus in 1744, just two verses (verses 1 and 4) , Red Mountain Music added two more verses (verses 2 and 3) in 2008:
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.

 

Joy to those who long to see thee

Day-spring from on high appear

Come thou promised Rod of Jesse

Of Thy birth we long to hear

O'er the hills the angels singing

News glad tidings of a birth

Go to him your praises bringing

Christ the Lord has come to earth

 

Come to earth to taste our sadness

He whose glories knew no end

By his life he brings us gladness

Our Redeemer Shepherd Friend

Leaving riches without number

Born within a cattle stall

This the everlasting wonder

Christ was born Lord of all

 

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.

Sometimes we have to wait longer than we want to wait for something to happen.
Good things happen to those who wait, just ask Simeon. 

I’m going to spend Christmas with my family, so I won’t be writing for a few weeks.
I promise I’ll be back. 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all, and much love from my heart to yours.

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible