People Look East (1928) Is a Beautiful Christmas Hymn That Captures the Preparation for Christ's Return

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People Look East was first published in 1928 as “Carol of Advent” by Eleanor Farjeon.

On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, we light the Gaudete (“Rejoice”) candle of JOY. This is traditionally the rose-colored candle in an Advent wreath. Did you know that Gaudete Sunday has also been known as Rose Sunday?

While we spent the first two weeks of Advent focused on Christ’s coming, the third week is one of joy and rejoicing in anticipation of Christ’s coming again.

We also, as a Western church, tend to focus on John the Baptist’s connection with Advent.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

For a refresher course on what Advent is, check out my advent playlist!

Advent Playlist – 25 Christmas Hymns

1. A Strange Way to Save the World

2. Angel Gabriel

3. Angels From the Realms of Glory

4. Christ is the World’s True Light

5. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

6. The Crown of Roses

7. E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come

8. Gesu Bambino

9. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

10 – I Wonder as I Wander

11 – Jesus Christ The Apple Tree

12. The King Shall Come

13. Carol of the Drum (Little Drummer Boy)

14. Mary, Did You Know?

15. O Come All Ye Faithful

16. O Come O Come Emmanuel

17. O Holy Night

18. O Little Town of Bethlehem

19. Once in Royal David’s City

Day 20. People Look East

People Look East was first published in 1928 as “Carol of Advent”.

The author, Eleanor Farjeon, was best known for her children’s nursery rhymes. And perhaps that is paritally why she so well captures the mood of preparing for Advent and Christmas (“trim the hearth and set the table”) as well as the anticipation for Jesus’ return (“Love, the Rose, is on the way”).

People Look East Lyrics –

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.

Scripture Reading for Day 20 of Advent –

Daniel 9:24-27

Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks.

Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.