December 9

105 People, Look East

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Love, the Lord, is on the way.

Devotion

If I were ever to build a house, again, I would make the dining room the largest room in the house – where I could set a table to serve at least 30 guests. There is just something special about family and friends gathered together sharing good food and making memories.

When George and I were first married, we lived in a small apartment, and I still remember the tulip table we bought for our kitchen – a table barely big enough for two. The dining room table was slightly larger. So for our first holiday dinner, we seated 18 guests in grand, but not too roomy, style. When my nephew decided he "couldn't wait any longer,"  he had only one option: leave the dining room via the back door, circle the building, and re-enter from the front door. We had never considered an emergency exit plan.

As we moved to larger homes with more spacious dining rooms, we would add another table leaf or place setting as the guest list grew: Cub Scouts, the football team, boyfriends, girlfriends, daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, a booster seat (or two) for grandchildren. As our dining room table strained under the weight of one-too-many holiday dinners, George became the designated leaf adjuster. He would lie under the table adjusting the worn table runners. However, one year, a week before Christmas, George broke his leg and sported a full leg cast. He still managed to maneuver himself and his cast under the table to set the runners for our Christmas feast.

Then we moved to North Carolina where family and friends joined us many times of the year, but not always at Christmas. We started new traditions by inviting neighbors and friends to our Christmas dinner table. One memorable dinner lasted four hours, as we dined and exchanged stories with the “holiday orphans,” as George called them – those neighbors who didn't go home for the holidays.

At this advent time of the year, we pause to remember the guests we have invited to dine with us through the years –  the memories made and the stories told. As we look ahead to this year's guest list, we pause to remember and give thanks for the Guest who is always present at our table, whether it is large or small, or whether we have place settings for two or 32.

Penny Burke

Prayer

Hosting God, we know there is always room at the table that you set. As we reflect on making room for the Word of God in this season, may your abundant generosity inspire us to make room at our tables for the orphan, the widow, and the stranger in our lands. Amen.