Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

One of the great tragedies of Church history is that Wesley, living a century before Newman, was caught in the prejudices of his age and, despite his catholic leanings, never considered the Catholic Church.  Here is one of his great and eminently catholic hymns for Advent, which I like to sing to the tune "Stuttgart":

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.

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.