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.

Charles Wesley’ lyric brings into our lives the experience of ancient peoples, who were even of a different religion than ours. They have the foundation, we the pinnacle: Jesus. One of the names of Christ in this carol catches my attention: ‘Desire of Every Nation.’ Why would we call Him this? As we read on Sunday, November 6th, it says in Haggai 2:7, And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come. This line even got used by G. F. Handel in his oratorio, Messiah. Is it true that people of every nation can treasure the One we celebrate in Advent and Christmas? Let us pray, using words of another carol. O come, desire of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease; Fill the whole world with heaven's peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee... Amen.

- Rev. Jeff White