Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

A collection of readings for Advent

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus is a collection of 22 short readings drawn from the works of classic and contemporary theologians and Bible teachers that help readers to focus on and enter into the wonder of the incarnation of Jesus and the story of his birth. The short meditations are drawn from a number of sources including books, other writings, and sermonic materials from: George Whitefield, Skip Ryan, Martin Luther, John Piper, Tim Keller, Martin Lloyd-Jones, Ligon Duncan, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, Saint Augustine, J. I. Packer, John Calvin, Alistair Begg, Randy Alcorn, John MacArthur, Ray Ortlund, Jr., Francis Shaeffer, J.C. Ryle, James Boice, R.C. Sproul, R. Kent Hughes, and Joni Eareckson Tada.

Deeper than shallow “inspirational” thoughts, and more scripture-based and theologically sound than other “spiritual” guides available, each essay expounds on a particular aspect of the Christmas story and includes the appropriate scripture passage from the ESV.

Table of Contents with chapter summary

George Whitefield: Contemplating Christmas
An encouragement to pull away from frivolous holiday celebrations to truly contemplate the gift of the Incarnation.

Skip Ryan: Tabernacled Among Us
An exposition of John 1:14 about what it means that Jesus became flesh and “dwelt” among us.

Martin Luther: The Maiden Mary
An examination of Mary’s humility as a Jewish maiden, and her glad response to what God brought into her life.

John Piper: Conceived by the Holy Spirit
An exploration of the work of the Holy Spirit in the conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb and what the angel told Mary about the child in her womb.

Tim Keller: The Gifts of Christmas
Keller suggests four gifts we are given through Christmas—vulnerability for intimacy, comfort for suffering, passion for justice, power over prejudice.

Martin Lloyd-Jones: The Great Fulfillment
A presentation of Jesus as the great fulfillment of all the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament.

Ligon Duncan: Joseph: Righteous and Kind
A look at the character and faith of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father.

Jonathan Edwards: To Be More Blessed Than Mary
An exposition of Luke 11:27-28 in which Jesus said that the person who hears and keeps the Word of God is more blessed than Mary who bore and nursed the Son of God.

Charles Spurgeon: Have You Any Room?
A sermon that presents all of the places where there was no room for Jesus—the inn, halls of government, temples of religion, places of business—and an invitation to make room for Jesus in your life.

Saint Augustine: The Word Was Made Flesh
A meditation on what it means that the Word was With God and Was God and then was made flesh.

J. I. Packer: For Your Sakes He Became Poor
Packer suggests that the key text for understanding the incarnation is 2 Corinthians 8:9: ‘ye know that grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.’

John Calvin: Unto Us A Child is Born
A consideration of the promises of Isaiah 9 phrase by phrase.

Alistair Begg: Wrapped in Humility
A view of the incarnation through Philippians 2:5-7 and what it means that the God of glory poured himself into the humble form of a human servant.

Randy Alcorn: Shepherd Status
A history lesson on the place shepherds held in society and the implications of these lowly people being chosen as the first to hear about the birth of Jesus.

John MacArthur: Glory Revealed
Isaiah promised that the glory of God would be revealed, and it was revealed fully in the person and work of Jesus Christ who was “the radiance of the glory of God.”

Ray Ortlund, Jr.: Good News of Great Joy
Five reasons the birth of Jesus should give us joy just as the angels announced that the birth of Jesus was “good news of great joy,”

Francis Shaeffer: Seeing Jesus With the Shepherds
Significant ways seeing Jesus changed the lives of simple shepherds forever, and how seeing Jesus should change our lives.

J.C. Ryle: The Lessons of the Wise Men
The example of faith shown to us by the wise men who came to worship Jesus.

James Boice: Gifts of Faith
An examination of gold, frankincense and myrrh and what each gift given to Jesus meant.

R.C. Sproul: Embarking on a Course of Redemption
An exposition of the circumcision and naming of Jesus in the temple on his eighth day.

R. Kent Hughes: Those To Whom Christ Comes
Insights into Simeon and Anna and their longing to see the Savior.

Joni Eareckson Tada: A Christmas Longing
A connection of our Christmas longings to see Jesus to our longings for him to come again.