Although prolific hymnwriter Charles Wesley penned eighteen
Christmas songs, he was never content with simply painting the picture of the
manger scene. He needed to go deeper. In this hymn, he begins by alluding to
scriptural prophecies of Christ. Moving on to personal application, he
continues: Christ is not only the “desire of every nation”; he is the “joy of
every longing heart.” He is not only the child born with the “government.... on
his shoulders” (Isaiah 9:6); he is also “born to reign in us forever.”
Such personal application was a hallmark of the Wesleys’
ministry. Charles and his brother John challenged the staid Anglican traditions
of their time. The church of their day had great scholarship; its theology was
orthodox. Christians sang hymns straight from Scripture. But the Wesleys asked,
“Does this mean anything to you? Is the biblical story about long-ago events or
about what is going on in your life?” They urged people to meet Christ
personally and to include him in every part of their lives—even their hymn
singing.
Scriptures: Daniel 7:13-14;
Haggai 2:7; Luke 1:32-35
Themes: Birth of Christ,
Prophecy, Hope
Lyrics of the
Hymn:
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.
B
orn Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
Thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
By CHARLES WESLEY (1707–1788)
Reference for the
Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 212-213).
Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
The song “Count Your Blessings” was written by Johnson
Oatman Jr. His father, Johnson Oatman Sr., a prominent businessman in the small
town of Lumberton, New Jersey, was the best singer in church and probably in
the whole community.
Johnson Oatman Jr. worked in his father’s business all his
life. He also became ordained as a Methodist preacher, so he often preached in
one of the small Methodist churches in the area. But he could never sing like
his father could sing.
However, when he was thirty-six years old, Oatman counted his blessings and discovered another talent.
He could write songs, and for the next three decades he wrote four or five new
gospel songs each week. He didn’t want any money for them, but his publisher
insisted, so Oatman finally agreed to accept one dollar per song.
Scriptures: Psalm 28:7;
Psalm 103:1-5; Ephesians 1:3
Themes: Thanksgiving,
Praise, Joy
Lyrics of the
Hymn:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your
blessings, name them one by one;
Count your
blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your
blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many
blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in Heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
By JOHNSON OATMAN JR. (1856–1922)
Reference for the
Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 657-658).
Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
