Advent 2022
During this season of Advent, we explore the words of the messengers/angels in the nativity story each Sunday morning at church. Every day at home, as part of our Advent calendar, we will listen to Advent and Christmas songs that mention the Angels. The songs with angel verses provide a wonderful opportunity to learn more Christmas songs and uncover the beauty of God with Us, when God is with us we do not need to fear.
Advent Calendar Idea: place a line of notes down a purple table runner with the nativity at the end. Make or use your Christmas angels (one per family member) and move them to the next note everyday till Christmas. There are 28 days of Advent this year.
November 27
Day 1 – People Look East
Listen to the song "People, Look East"
I have always loved this song…but I am not sure exactly why. Perhaps it is the poetry, lyric and rhyme. As I spend more time with the words, I think it is the title…People Look East. Strange, I know, but hear me out. I wondered why this song wanted us to look East? After looking into it a bit more I discovered that East is the direction that God appears. When God’s glory entered the temple, it was from the East. The Wise men see a star rise in the East that guides them to Jesus, and the second coming of Jesus is to come from the East. So, as we start Advent…look East! The God who was coming, who came, is still coming to us.
Activity with Kids:
Take your kids outside and look East. Talk about how Advent is a time to watch for God’s coming to us. Share a God sighting with one another each day during advent.
Look at the words of verse five again as it talks about the angels:
5. 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.
While you are outside…shout the news of the angels “The Lord is Coming!”
Move your Angels to the first note on the Advent calendar.
PEOPLE, LOOK EAST
Words and Music: Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), 1928
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Comments