Come, thou long expected Jesus...

Never have I felt such expectation for Christmas.   

Sitting here in the glow of our tree with my little girl sound asleep in her bed, I remember what it was 

like to yearn for her, to long for her, to expect her. How I pray that I can begin to desire my Savior in the 

same way. 

He came to earth as a baby as small as my Beatrice; as helpless and as fragile. As utterly dependent upon 

Mary as Beatrice is upon me. What great condensation. What a miracle. To be so utterly human when 

he was so fully God. 

I am amazed at the joy my tiny daughter has brought to my soul; shouldn't the Savior of the World 

bring me more...

Oh Father, I rejoice on this Christmas Eve that you did indeed come to set your people free.

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.