Advent Devotional Dec 21: People Look East

People Look East
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SPLN1g_ZFY

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.

I’m going to be short and sweet today.  We will sing this song on Sunday because I’m preaching about love.  In fact, I might just mostly tip my hand with what I say here – so you can go skiing on Sunday without fear of missing the sermon now (though we will surely miss you not being present with us).

If God is love (and I believe that fully to be true) then the whole idea of making God an external something… a something that we are seeking outside of ourselves, outside of our lives, outside of our world… is a fruitless enterprise.  If God is love than we do not seek God, we live God.  God infuses our lives, our relationships, and our world.  1 John 4:16, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.”

Incarnation is the word made flesh and living among us – tangible love.  But we too become incarnation when we embrace and live love.  And when we abide in love towards life we are living the life of God who dwells among us and within us.  We are at one with God when we love… we love God, ourselves, one another, and all creation.

People… look east, but also look within and find the love of God that is seeking to be lived in your life.