Everyone who plans worship has heard the comment: “Where did they get that awful hymn? Nobody could sing it.” I heard it one Sunday in Advent when we sang “People Look East.” Nonsense, I thought. I learned that when I was 11 years old singing in the church children’s choir.

People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.

I think it’s one of the most fun Advent songs ever written. Here is a group of young people from Orlando singing it.

The text was written by English author Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), who also wrote “Morning has Broken.” The music is a French carol tune from Besançon. Together, they make a lively combination.

I confess that the first three (originally first 4) stanzas don’t really tell you what Advent is about, just that something exciting is about to happen. Love is on the way. Only in the last stanza do we learn the true reason for the excitement.

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, today:
Love the Lord is on the way.  

Love the Lord is on the way. I wish that were at the heart of the this season. It’s so hard to see the coming of the Lord of Love in the frenzy of extravagant spending, eating and drinking that grips this time of year.

Let’s get the focus back where it belongs. Celebrate the Lord’s coming. It’s what this season is about.

Read Matthew 24:22 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne