Come

 

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.

400 years of silence.  400 years of waiting.  Between Malachi and Matthew Israel doesn't hear directly from YHWH.   Finally, their prayers are answered and YHWH breaks into our world in a completely unexpected way.    I know I often experience what feels like silence from YHWH, sometimes it feels like 400 years.  Yet I have confidence that He will break the silence at the perfect time, with the perfect response, out of His perfect love.