Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

by Andy Langford, Ann Langford Duncan

Open your heart to the good news of Christmas

The Christian year is fundamentally a roadmap for pilgrims, as biblical witnesses lead spiritually hungry people on a journey to receive the full riches of God’s grace. During Advent, we take the first steps.

In Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, Andy Langford and Ann Langford Duncan invite you on an Advent-to-Christmas pilgrimage to draw closer to Jesus and invite others to join you on this journey. Traditional Scripture readings and acts of worship reveal anew the treasures of God’s grace for all people. Let this book guide you to open your heart to the priceless gifts of the good news. Start your pilgrimage today and experience the full riches of God's love.

In addition to the book, other study components include a Leader Guide and video available on DVD.

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pilgrimage is a journey with fellow pilgrims to a new place in search of an expanded understanding about one's own self, others, and God. Throughout the Scriptures, Christian history, and in contemporary culture, the spiritual life is often understood as a pilgrimage. From Abraham and Sarah going from the land of Ur to a land promised by God; to Moses leading the people of Israel out of Egyptian captivity to a land flowing with milk and honey; to medieval travelers journeying to Canterbury and Jerusalem; to contemporary pilgrims traveling the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) in Spain, Portugal, and France; and to our own individual journeys, pilgrimages shape our spiritual lives.

Andy Langford and Ann Langford Duncan, seemingly (based on their names) a United Methodist brother and sister pastoral team, provide a pilgrimage through the season of Advent. We encounter Isaiah, John the Baptist, John the Theologian, Mary, Angels & Shepherds, Simeon & Anna, and, of course, in the end, Christ in Bethlehem. The book is part of a teaching series and the discussions in our church were insightful and inspirational.

There's a certain hokiness to the presentation, of course. Like how they refer to each other by their first name: "One of Andy's favorite movies is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." There is also not a lot of depth to these reflections--the authors make a point and promptly move on.

Still, there's enough substance here to foster good discussions and reflections on the season--and that's the point of a thin book like this, n'est-ce pas?

[Doug Lunsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

We used this as a Bible Study for Advent. I was raised a Free Will Baptist and joined the Methodist Church in 1983 when our church divided and folded because of an inexperienced Pastor who grew up in that church. Never mind about that!
We never used a lot of the Holy Days like Advent, Ash Wednesday, and Maundy Thursday. So I’ve been struggling with Advent because I just couldn’t understand the ceremony etc. our CCC SS Class used it and I guess I’m still wondering about the ceremonies but it was absolutely necessary for Jesus Christ to be born as foreseen I. The Old Testament as we know it.

We also used the video

[Diana Hamilton-Rousseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I get older and move away from the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas. I found that reading Come Thou Long Expected Jesus was a nice way to prepare for Christmas and after. Come Thou Expected Jersey is a grounding reminder of what Christmas is. Not just the gatherings, presents and Santa Claus. But about grace,and hope. We need hope in this turbulent world. I want to make this book my annual reading in preparation for Christmas.