Best known for his hit songs, "Give Me Your Eyes," "Your Love," "I'm Not Who I Was," and "See Me Through It," Brandon Heath has released his full-length Christmas album, Long Expected.
Just like when you sing along with any of Brandon's songs, this album is filled with catchy story-songs about the reason for the season. The biblical concept for "Long Expected" is a modern re-telling of the hymn, "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus," by Charles Wesley, rooted in the biblical prophecy from Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
I had the great opportunity to interview Brandon about his gorgeous song, "Long Expected," which also features Francesca Battistelli.
Please tell me about the story behind the song.
Like so many of Charles Wesley's hymns, "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" alludes to one or more Scripture passages in virtually every phrase. This song is centered on the hope of Christmas, specifically the arrival of Jesus. This song celebrates the hope and long-awaited arrival of Jesus Christ, with these songs expressing the joy of the holiday season. I was honored to collaborate with Francesca Battistelli on this song.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV): "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel."
2 Cor. 4:14 (NLT): "We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you."
Luke 4:18-19 (NLT): "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."
Romans 6:22 (NLT): "But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life."
Philippians 2:5-11 (NKJV): "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Rev. 3:21 (NLT): "Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne."
What's the takeaway message?
This song and this album have collaborations with artists like Francesca Battistelli, Rachel Purcell, and Tasha Layton. This album has been on my heart for a long time. Christmas is more than lights and songs; it's about expectation fulfilled. I wanted to write an album that captures the waiting and the joy that comes when God keeps His promises. Every track is a reflection on how hope finally arrived in the form of a baby.
Lyrics
To us a child, to us a son is given
Born to bring hope to everyone it is written
Wonderful Counselor
Almighty God
Beautiful Savior You are
Come thou long expected Jesus
Born to set the people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find peace and our rest in thee
Love has come down, sing with me now in worship
He comes to dwell, Emmanuel within us
Everlasting Father
(Everlasting)
Prince of all peace
(Prince of all peace)
Humbly we fall on our knees
Come thou long expected Jesus
Born to set the people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find peace and our rest in thee
Alpha and Omega
Worthy is The Lamb
Glorious great I Am
Come thou long expected Jesus
Born to set the people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find peace and our rest in thee
Alpha and Omega
(Holy)
Worthy is The Lamb
(Worthy)
Glorious great I Am
(Glorious great I Am)
Alpha and Omega
(Holy)
Worthy is The Lamb
(Worthy)
Glorious great I Am
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find peace and our rest in thee
Let us find peace and our rest in thee
Closing Thoughts
Every Christmas season, I've had the privilege of listening to new Christmas albums in the fall to select the songs I'd like to feature for this behind the song devotional series. I had a fun time with Brandon's album, as I could write devotionals about virtually every song because many of the songs are filled with biblical truth. We should all heed Apostle Paul's words, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men" (Phil 2:5-9).
That's the story of Christmas. Our King of heaven came down to save us from our sins and was obedient to the point of death on a cross. That's what we can ponder as Mary and Joseph did when they welcomed Him to earth. The double nature of Advent is reflected in this song, in which we remember Christ's first coming even while praying for his return. The song recalls Advent prophecies in the Old Testament and speaks of Christ's birth and kingdom and is a prayer for Christ's rule in our hearts. That's the ultimate gift of Christmas, the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
The beauty of this song is that in addition to that truth, this song celebrates what the Apostle Paul shares in Philippians 2:9-11: "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a passionate enthusiast and dedicated collector of Christian music. He believes that the message of Christian music has helped him gain a deeper understanding of Christ.
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