Four weeks we have, each passing year, To ready hearts, and hold Christ near. But lists and shopping, fill our days, Lost in the rush, in countless ways. Presents bought, and debts piled high, Does this prepare, for Christ on high? The Jewish people, watched of old, For a Messiah, brave and bold. A mighty king, their hearts desired, But gentle signs, went uninspired. They missed the clues, the humble birth, The Savior's love, for all the earth. We too can miss, the signs so clear, Of Christ's own presence, ever near. He came to earth, a life to give, A model true, for how to live. He died for us, our souls to save, From sin's dark hold, beyond the grave. He rose again, that we might see, God's endless love, eternally. So let us then, prepare our hearts, To live this truth, in all our parts. Each day embrace, His gift so grand, Salvation's promise, close at hand. Let Christmas joy, in us reside, With every step, and every stride. Celebrating love, so pure and free, For all mankind, eternally. In every soul, His light we find, The Savior's love, for all mankind. Open your eyes, let love ignite, Welcome Christ's birth, with pure delight. Advent calls us, to reflect, On gifts of grace, we can't neglect. How do we ready, heart and soul, To greet the Christ, and make Him whole? If shopping's all, our focus lies, We miss the point, before our eyes. Like Easter folk, with joy we sing, As Christmas people, Christ we bring. Into our world, each day anew, In faces seen, and deeds we do. In every chance, and every place, We find His love, His gentle grace. So open hearts, and lift your eyes, See Christ in all, before us rise. Welcome Him in, with love so deep, His promise kept, for us to keep. In every soul, His light we find, The Savior's love, for all mankind. Open your eyes, let love ignite, Welcome Christ's birth, with pure delight. The Fourth Wise Man, a tale to tell, Delayed his quest, it so befell. He paused to aid, with heart so kind, The needy souls, he chanced to find. For thirty-three years, he gave his all, Then met his King, where shadows fall. At Calvary's cross, his eyes were opened wide, In every soul he helped, Christ did reside. This Advent time, let's watchful be, And see the signs, for all to see. That Christ is near, in every face, In acts of love, and words of grace. So open hearts, and lend a hand, In serving others, understand, That in their lives, His light we find, The Savior's love, for all mankind. In every soul, His light we find, The Savior's love, for all mankind. Open your eyes, let love ignite, Welcome Christ's birth, with pure delight. Gracious God, be with us as we begin our preparation to celebrate the birth of Your son, Jesus. Keep our focus on the true meaning of Christmas and be watchful so that we may recognize opportunities to find Christ in the faces of those who suffer from loneliness and depression and reach out to them with compassion and love, In Jesus name, Amen