Advent Candle #2: “Joy Of Every Longing Heart”

LEFC Family Advent Readings: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

Haggai 2:6-7 :: December 7, 2025

Week #2: “Joy Of Every Longing Heart”

“Advent” means “coming.” Christmas is coming. Jesus has come and is coming again.

This year, during the Advent Season, we are anticipating the arrival of our Lord by meditating on the biblical truth embedded in the vintage carol, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” 

Our first candle was a candle of freedom.

[LIGHT FIRST CANDLE AGAIN.]

When the Messiah comes, He will release us from our fears and sins. No more worry, dread, or fright. No more wickedness, iniquity, or evil. We will find our rest in Him. How joyful we will be to be free!

[LIGHT SECOND CANDLE.]

Our second candle is a candle of joy. The carol, a prayer to the long-awaited Messiah, goes on to describe Him to Himself like this:

“Israel's strength and consolation

Hope of all the earth Thou art

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every longing heart”

The name “desire of every nation” comes from the Old Testament book of Haggai who prophesied:

[READ HAGGAI 2:6-7]

The LORD promised to bring upheaval–a great shaking of all things–which will surely happen. But He also promised that the “desire of all nations will come,” which is the Lord Jesus Christ! 

The peoples of the earth may not realize it now, but they all want Jesus to come. Not just Israel, but all nations. He is the true fulfillment of all of their longings. If they only could understand that He is what they have been chasing with their lives! Only Jesus can satisfy. 

Jesus is our only hope, and when He returns, He will fill the world with His glory and His people with unending joy.

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus!

Photo by Jonas Von Werne