Devotion
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.
~Stanza One: "People Look East"
Home for Christmas! The words themselves can evoke a sense of longing for the embrace of dear ones, for sparkling lights and spicy greens, for favorite foods, wrapped surprises,unexpected kindnesses, quiet talks by the fire. Most of our Christmases do not measure up to the image, the sense of being at home and surrounded by love. But the vision remains true. Hold on to it dearly. Whoever else may or may not be coming to your house this Christmas, “Love, the guest” will be there. Jesus is coming. He is already on the way. And he brings with him the promise of all the ages and the fulfillment of our deepest longings to be loved and known, forgiven and blessed, home at last. Now is the time to make your house and your heart ready to welcom e Love, the guest, home for Christmas.
Prayer
Dearest Jesus, come and be our guest. We long for your presence, especially now at the darkest time of the year. Teach us how to clear our hearts and our houses of the clutter that makes it hard for you to find room to sit at our table, a place to rest in our home, an open space for you to dwell at the center of our being. Amen.
People Look East Text @1931 Eleanor Farjeon, admin. David Highham Associates, Ltd. all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission