In Christ There Is No East or West (ELW 650)
Devotion
1In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one community of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
2In Christ shall true hearts ev'rywhere
their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord
close binding humankind.
3Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate'er your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
4In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north;
all Christly souls are one in him
throughout the whole wide earth.
Text: John Oxenham, 1852-1941, alt.
Used in the 1900s for world missions, this hymn is usually chosen by congregations now for its unity theme. John Oxenham, a white English poet, describes God's inclusive community. He emphasizes that in Christ we become disciples in one community of love, which includes people from throughout the earth and from every race.
To accompany Oxenham's lyrics, Harry T. Burleigh, an African American composer, adapted the spiritual "I Know the Angel's Done Changed My Name." In 1894, Burleigh had become soloist for a New York church—despite its members' objections due to his race. Over the subsequent 50 years, his talent and dedication led the members to love and include him in their faith community.
As God's children, we become "kin" in one community of love. However, we frequently struggle to include and love our kin, especially during disagreements. This is Visit Your Relatives Day, an opportunity to build inclusive kin relationships!
Prayer
Living God, thank you for seeking to unite all of us through Christ into one community of love. Today, help us reach out to all of our kin—no matter the relationships—to share your love. Amen.