December 24 “The Work of Christmas”

I was just watching the Wheaton College Christmas concert and one of the songs really caught my attention.  Among the familiar hymns and carols was a poem by Howard Thurman presented a cappella titled “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 brothers,
To make music from the heart.

This poem reminds us that Christmas is not the destination.  When the 12 Days of Christmas ends and the season of Epiphany arrives, the celebration in not over, but just beginning.  This poem reminds us all that celebrating Christmas is really about what happens after Christmas is over. 

When the special services of worship are over and the carols have been sung, when the star in the sky pointing us to Jesus has been replaced by the Holy Spirit, when the family members have all returned home, when everyone is back to work, then we begin to truly celebrate Christmas. If Christmas is truly about celebrating Jesus Christ, then we have to follow his example; we have to do His work.   The work of Christmas is not returning the gifts or shopping with the gift cards or seeking to lose the extra pounds.  No, Thurman’s second paragraph, inspired by scripture, describes the work of Christmas;

“And He (Jesus) said to them, Go into the all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Matthew 16:15-16)

“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:10)

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him.” (Proverbs 14:31)

Prayer: Father, please open my heart to truly celebrate Christmas long after the 12 day celebration is over.  Enlighten me to the needs of those around me and to those who are lost.  I pray that you will open (you put in the name of a friend) heart to Jesus and His love and salvation.  May my words and actions in partnership with Your work in them cause them to come and be baptized and become a disciple.  I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen