Advent…Look East

Our Christmas Carol for today is entitled “People, Look East”. The lyrics are written by Eleanor Farjeon, 1928. It is a traditional French carol.

“People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year…People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way.”

I am a bit fascinated with the directional instructions in this song. As we experience our time of Advent, watching for the coming of the Christ Child, we are told to look east.

Why east? I have a couple of thoughts. First, the sun rises in the east. It is in this direction that we witness the dawning of a new day. With each new day arrives a new beginning, new life. Both as a sign and a reality, HOPE is present in each sunrise. People look east, and expect to find hope. In fact, within the mere turning of our faces toward the subtle glow of first light peeking across the horizon, hope begins to be born within us. We know that new creation is ready to burst forth. What could be more important during this Advent journey than to find the place of HOPE! Who among us does not find our spirits lifted in the beauty of a glorious sunrise?

Looking at the words of the song once again, we are profoundly struck with the purpose of our turning around our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our souls to look east. Why? Because…..”LOVE, the Guest, is on the way!” I’ll be watching! Will you?