The Work of Christmas - at New Year's?

THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among others,

To make music in the heart.

~Howard Thurman

Dear Beloved Friends,

These words by Howard Thurman are among the most meaningful to me, not just now following Christmas but during the entire year. They express for me a Way of Living, a Way of Being, a Way of Hope!

Christmas 2023 has come and gone. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We have the opportunity to carry with us always the memories we have made during these days – the sounds of the children singing their little hearts out, the magic of the strings on Christmas Eve, the words of hope given to us by Jeff and Michael, the music shared by the choir and the quartet and others who shared their gifts, the silence and time for meditation during Sacred Space, the hugs and prayers for those who are suffering loss – the list goes on and on.

Somehow New Year’s Resolutions do not work for me. May I suggest for others who struggle also, let us take Howard Thurman’s words into our hearts, to find a new Way of Living, a new Way of Being, a new Way of Hope!

For many this may mean continuing to reach out to others when a need is felt. For others it may mean always looking and being open to the new opportunities which arise in the most unexpected places.

For all of us it means BEING CHRIST to those around us – known and unknown. What greater gift can we give to others? And to ourselves?

May the Love of Christ fill you with Compassion and Joy, ~ Pastor Shirley