Advent: 1

A few years ago, I made advent calendars for various family members. I meant to make one for us, but never got around to it. Luckily, I found a number of very beautiful ones for sale at a used book store downtown.

To go with the calendars, I created an anthology of holiday reflections, stories, poems, and songs, one for each night of December, until Christmas.

My favorite obscure Christmas carol, “People Look East,” is the first item.

PEOPLE LOOK EAST
Words and Music: Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), 1928
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.