The Work of Christmas Begins is a lovely poem by Dr. Howard Thurman (1899-1981). He actually wrote this poem to explain the work that comes after the holiday decorations are put away, the lights are turned off, and the January cold seems to permeate our souls.
But, reading this poem today, the First Day of Advent, serves as a powerful reminder of what we all should do as we wait for Our Savior’s birth.
It reminds us of what we all can do as we prepare our homes for His birth.
It reminds us of what we all need to do to make ourselves worthy of His birth.
The Work of Christmas Begins
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.
May your journey to Bethlehem this year be blessed.