Devotion - December 23, 2023

 Please read Luke 1:46-55 and Luke1:8-14

Signs of expectancy filled the time before Christ’s birth. The day of Christ’s birth, Christians call Christmas.  I am sure we are all following our own signs of Christmas expectancy. For myself, music is one of those signs.  Music tells the story of Christmas.  

The following was taken from words written “From the Editor”, Lynda Hasseler, giving explanation of a hymn. As a member of the Johnson Memorial UMC choir, I have and am using a copy of the choral piece to write this devotion.

“The Advent hymn, People Look East, first appeared in The Oxford Book of Carols (1928).  The lively, traditional French carol, BESANCON, which earlier appeared with the anonymous text, “Shepherds, shake off your drowsy sleep,” provides a festive musical setting for this wonderful Advent text by Eleanor Farjeon. In the creative hands of composer, Craig Courtney, this lively tune and imaginative text become even more festive as the arrangement captures the air of an Irish jig.  Except for one word that changes in the last two lines of each stanza, the poem and its musical setting give the sense of a refrain. “Love” in turn, is defined as “Guest,” “Rose,” “Star,” and “Lord.

The lyrics go as such:

“People, look East, the time is near of 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 ye long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen, he 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 to man and beast Him who cometh from the East.
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.”

People, Look East: Lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon, Arranged for SATB by Craig Courtney, Beckenhorst Press, Inc.  Columbus, Ohio

People, look East, the Lord is on the way. May God bless us all. Merry Christmas!

Kay Lewis