The real work of Christmas

We have been taking down the Christmas decorations at home and at the church and it struck me that this is when the real work of Christmas begins.  How can we take the peace, hope, joy, and love of the Christ child and incorporate it into our daily lives? 

Here is a beautiful poem written by Howard Thurman that captures this sentiment much better than I will ever be able to do!

"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 the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins. 

Amen! 

Blessings, Emma. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7.