Epiphany is the 12th day of Christmas but is now celebrated on the Sunday closest to January 6. The Christmas season is now over but the WORK of Christmas never ends! In that spirit, I offer you this poem traced back to Howard Thurman. Among a variety of interpretations online, here's my take on Thurman's words. Let's pray...
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the shepherds are back with
their flocks,
when family and friends have gone
home,
when the tree's been taken
down,
when we're back on our regular
schedules,
THEN the work of Christmas begins:
to welcome the refugee
to set
captives free,
to embrace
the excluded,
to tear down
walls,
to forgive the offender,
to build
bridges
to reverence
life in all its forms,
to share our
gifts,
to spread
the wealth,
to work for
justice,
to make
peace,
and to bring
Christ's light o the world…
Help us, Lord,
to keep the season all year 'round,
to keep alive in word and deed:
the spirit of Christ, in Bethlehem born;
the peace of Christ, dwelling among us;
the joy of Jesus, at home in our hearts
and the work that's ours who walk his path
and follow the light of his truth...
Lord, help us remember all through the year
the work of Christmas is never done;
night and day, in season and out, 24/ 7/365,
the message of of Christmas is ours to tell
and its love is ours to share...
Protect us, Lord while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
The Work of Christmas by Dan Forrest
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