Only 6 More Months of Shopping Before Christmas!

Today is half way between Christmas 2013 and 2014.  Last Saturday evening, as I was coming home on the Metro I began to speak with a number of teens, all wearing the same shirt.  They were from Dallas and here in DC on a "mission" trip.  I thought of one of my favorite poems that is appropriate any time of year.  It is by Howard Thurman and reminds us that the work of Christmas is EVERYDAY!

"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 in the heart.

"The Work of Christmas," by Howard Thurman

For many, Christmas ended the morning of December 26th.  In the Catholic liturgical calendar, Christmas ended the night of January 9th this year.  I just discovered this poem filled with love and truth and wanted to share it with you.  It was written by Dr. Howard Thurman.  He was Dean of Theology at Howard University and Boston University.  In 1944 he helped found the first racially integrated, multiculural church in the United States.  As an author, philosopher, theologian, educator and civil rights leader, he influenced many during his lifetime.  And with this poem, continues to influence even today.  I just had to share it with you!

"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 in the heart.