The Work of Christmas
Image Credit: Black Madonna of Czestochowa
As we move towards Christmas, I can’t get these words from Howard Thurman’s poem, The Work of Christmas, out of my head. He writes that the work of Christmas is
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.
Maybe that message inspires you to sow seeds of justice and embody love. If so, GREAT! In Luke 4, Jesus said he came to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, let the oppressed go free, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Thus, Christmas is absolutely an invitation to join God as God brings restorative justice and holistic peace on earth as it is in heaven.
But perhaps this is a heavy season for you. Maybe a part of you feels lost, brokenhearted, and stuck. Maybe you are aching for direction, healing, and community. Know that the God of love and peace welcomes you. The only way forward it to pay close attention what’s stirring inside of you, listen to the messages your body is telling you, and to cry out to the living God from that very place. Invite trustworthy people into your healing journey. We cannot thrive alone.
Wherever this season finds you today, breathe deeply. Lean into love. Extend grace. And trust that light is piercing the darkness. Emmanuel is entering into the world. Christmas is coming.
Related Resources
The Mood of Christmas by Howard Thurman - the poem I referenced above is from this wonderful Advent and Christmas formation resource.
Reframing the Birth Narrative - A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to preach on a portion of the birth narrative found in Luke 2:8-14. Here is a link if you’d like to check it out. The sermon starts around the 35 minute mark.
