Love, the Lord, is on the way...
The poem "People, Look East" was written by Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), an English author of childrens literature. She's most known for writing the poem, "Morning Has Broken." "People, Look East" was set to the tune of a French carol tune, and first appeared as a Christmas song in 1928. We have been singing one verse each week in the month of Advent as we journey towards the birth of Christ. Here is the full poem for today's Advent blog:
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 and sing today:
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 and sing today:
Love, the rose, is on the way.
Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
Guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen
God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the bird, is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the star, is on the way.
Angels, 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 and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Love Divine,
We look to You and celebrate Your arrival as God With Us, Emmanuel. May we greet our Lord, Christ Jesus, as we greet the promise of the Guest, the Rose, the Bird, the Star. Amen.