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"People Look East the time is near, for the crowning of the year… "
While this Advent hymn has been around for well over 100 years, it is still fairly new in our congregational singing and is undoubtedly one of the best of our Advent hymns. The lyrics invite us into a time of preparation, and preparation is precisely what Advent is all about. If you were to ask a family member, friend, neighbour or co-worker about their preparation plans in December, most would offer a litany of events to either attend or host, a bevy of shopping yet to be done, finalizing of Christmas dinner lists and food to be prepared, as well as travel plans to be made. I suspect that very few, if any would make any reference at all to the kind of preparation that we are directed to in our Advent readings and music. In fact, the final verse of Hymn 91, "People Look East" reminds us:
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.
In the midst of the busyness of your Christmas preparation, I pray that you will set aside some time and recall what it is that we are truly preparing for.
If this is your first visit, it is a joy to welcome you to our parish web site. Perhaps you are one of those who are looking to find the presence of God in your own life journey, a search that in the midst the noise and confusion of our age, can at times seem overwhelming. Maybe we can be of some assistance. Contained within this site are examples of the ministry that we share as the parish of Christ Church, Chatham. We enjoy a wonderful mix of young and old, those who are new to the faith, as well as those who are mature Christians. In the midst of a wonderful blend of personalities comes the blessing of a variety of gifts and ministries. May the information you find here encourage you in your own faith journeys. We invite you to come and make your spiritual home with us at Christ Church, but pray that wherever you are, you will find a Christian community where you can deepen your faith, and put your talents and gifts to work. Wherever you are, your prayers for the ministry of the people of Christ Church, Chatham would be appreciated.
We are thankful for the people of Christ Church, who give of
themselves freely in the ministry of the church, for their commitment to carrying
out the commission that our Lord gave to us all, and we are thankful for you
who have visited us here. We invite you to come and get to know us better...
you will be glad you did.