For our Advent devotionals we are looking deeper at some of our favorite carols.
Today’s Scripture: Matthew 24:26-27
26 “So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it! 27 For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.
Today’s Carol: People Look East
People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able; trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east: Love, the Guest, is on the way.
Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there.
Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east: Love, the Rose, is on the way.
Angles, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east: Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Today’s Devotional
This is another carol that you might not be as familiar with. Here is a link to a YouTube video of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SPLN1g_ZFY
This carol gets its theme from the words of Jesus who said that Son of Man will come from the East. There are also lots of references in the Bible to the East. The Garden of Eden was planed in the east. The entrance of the tabernacle was supposed to face East. Good things come from the east.
I remember seeing a sunset one time when I was riding in the car with my Nana. This would have been a West Texas, High Plains sunset – so it was spectacular. I remember remarking about it to her when she replied. “I don’t like sunsets.”
Really? I was perplexed. Who doesn’t like sunsets? But then she said “I like sunrises better. They remind me that a new day is coming.” My Nana had learned to look east.
This carol is about hope and anticipation and expectancy. Get ready people! Love is on the way! This year we especially need to hear this message, I think.
But more than just this year, we need to remember to keep looking east throughout our lives. Living in hope and anticipation is a mark of a disciple. Jesus constantly told us to keep watch and be prepared. Doing so keeps us focused and ready for the blessings that are coming our way.
So, this week let’s keep looking east. Who knows what we will see!
Today’s Prayer
God sometimes we get so caught up in our present plight that we forget to anticipate the coming of your kingdom. Forgive us for not looking east and preparing for the arrival of Jesus. Give us this day a hopeful expectancy and train our attention on what you are about to do in us and in the world.
Amen
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