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The work of Christmas

Last week I packed away the nativity costumes, the left over craft items from the Christmas Crafternoon, recycled Christmas cards for use later this year and carefully placed the wooden nativity set back in its box. I then went home and repeated this with my own decorations, packing each one in tissue paper, untangling the tree lights (yet again!) I packed away Christmas, that’s it for another year I thought, but was it?

This Sunday I was challenged when one of our young people read this poem by Howard Thurman. It is called The Work of Christmas[1]

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 flocks,

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 the people,

To make music in the heart.

Listening to those words read aloud, I realised that the work of Christmas never really stops, and I began to wonder what the work of Christmas looked like with the children and families I meet.

This is the first full week after the Christmas break and most of the regular activities are restarting this week. I know I’m not looking forward to the early start that setting up our toddler group requires, but I am looking forward to welcoming back our families and hearing all about their Christmas’

In the midst of the routine, perhaps the mundane, this is where the work of Christmas begins, this is where the work lies, being present in those situations. I wonder what the work of Christmas looks like in your ministries and routines. I wonder what the work of Christmas looks like in your journey to work, with your families or at the supermarket? I wonder what joys and challenges the work of Christmas will bring in 2023. One thing is certain, none of this is possible without the help of Jesus, so perhaps you will join me in prayer, asking what the work of Christmas looks like in your context.

This weeks thought was written by Vicky Baker, EBA Trustee and Pastor for Children and families at STBBC

[1] The Mood of Christmas & Other Celebration

Friends United Press (28 Feb. 2011)