Welcome to this Abide Bedtime Story. Come, thou long-expected Jesus. This wonderful Christmas

hymn was written by Charles Wesley in 1744 and has been a beloved carol of Christmas

for a long, long time.

As you settle in to sleep tonight, you may be experiencing restlessness and excitement for

Christmas Day, or there may be sorrow in your heart if you have recently experienced a loss tonight

I invite you to focus your mind and your heart on the advent of Jesus to earth to

remember why he came so settle into your bed and instead of visions of sugarplums

dancing in your head picture Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem seeking shelter about to welcome their baby Jesus let your body

relax as you think of that scene take a few deep breaths to help slow your heart rate.

Let me pray for you as we begin tonight's story Heavenly Father we are so grateful for the gift of Jesus that

you gave us on Christmas more than 2,000 years ago you promised a Messiah you peace, you promised hope and you promised restoration.

And we have all of that in one tiny baby born in Bethlehem. We long expected him and now in him we can find our rest it's in

his precious name that I pray amen the Jews had been waiting a long, long time for the Messiah to come.

How long, O Lord, was a constant refrain.

They had endured captivity not once, but twice.

They had wandered 40 years in the wilderness.

They had endured famine and the discipline of God over their faithlessness.

And now, brutal Roman rule those wonderful words of the prophet Isaiah

rang through synagogues the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has light shown

you have multiplied the nation you have increased its joy they rejoice before you as with

joy at the harvest as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

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