The Christmas carol we’ll sing together in worship is “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” What are you waiting to see God do?

The carol was written by Charles Wesley, in the eighteenth century. Charles knew something about waiting! Robert J. Morgan describes the situation like this:

It’s hard to imagine the difficulties faced by John and Charles Wesley as they traveled by horseback from town to town, facing mobs, enduring harsh conditions and severe weather. Here is a sampling from Charles’ journal as he pressed into Wales in 1748--

Wednesday, the 23rd. I was not to set out till past seven. The continual rain and sharp wind were full in my teeth. I rode all day in great misery, and had a restless, painful night.

Thursday, the 24th. I resolved to push for Garth, finding my strength would never hold out for three more days riding. At five (a.m.) I set out in hard rain, which consumed all day. We went through perils of water. I was quite gone when we came at night to a little village. There was no fire in the poor hut. A brother supplied us with some, nailed up our window, and helped us to bed. I had no more rest than the night before.

Friday, the 25th. I took horse again at five, the rain attending us still. The weather was more severe. The violent wind drove the hard rain full in our faces. I rode till I could ride no more; walked the last hour; and by five dropped down at Garth.

Charles’ primary purpose in going to Garth was to preach, but he had another motive as well. It was also to see Miss Sally Gwynee, whom he wanted to marry. Marriage required a regular income, however, and Sally’s parents were concerned about Charles’ ability to sustain a family with no regular source of finances. Charles published a little hymnal entitled Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord, containing eighteen Christmas carols he had written, of which “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” is the best known.

The income from royalties more than satisfied Sally’s parents, and the two were married in 1849.

What are you waiting to see God do? What is God calling you to do as you wait? Will you let circumstances or resources get in the way?