Merry Christmas! – St. Nick’s News Dec 27, 2024

Full St. Nick’s News for December 27, 2024

Dear Friends,

Merry Christmas! What a wonderful celebration together on Christmas Eve! A big shoutout and thank you to our volunteers, musicians, A/V tech crew, and helpers, staff, pageant helpers, and congregation that made our time together so very special. I hope you enjoy the pictures below from our time together.

Every year, on the day known in England and Australia (and other Commonwealth Countries) as Boxing Day, I take a moment to pray for those in need and all who have worked during the days leading up to Christmas. As Boxing Day is said to be a day that began with alms for the poor and boxes of goodies for household workers and servants, it seems especially important to pray for the needs of others and to thank God for all who have worked so hard over the Christmas holidays.

In addition, I always read this poem/prayer by Howard Thurman:

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 others,
To make music in the heart.

I read it when I feel sad that my neighbors are rushing to put up their Christmas lights and place their trees at the curb. I read it to resist the urge to holler out, “Hey – Christmas is a season – it lasts twelve days!” whenever people ask me how “was” my Christmas. I read it to prayerfully remind myself that the work of Christmas is ongoing and we, blessedly, are invited into this work every year.

I read it to remind myself that the Christ child grew up – he didn’t stay in the manger. He spent his life drawing closer to God through learning, living, and loving. That is our work. Our work is to grow closer to God through our service and our love of one another and the world.

I can’t help but wonder who among us will be like an angel singing encouragement into friends and neighbors who need hope? Who among us will be a star guiding the way for our loved ones who feel lost? Who among us will be a king or a wise person sharing wisdom from on high and offering holy counsel and discernment? Who among us will, like a shepherd, tend to our flock – our church, our colleagues, our neighbors – and help them to be nourished and provide refreshments when their souls are parched?

I am sure that you, like me have had your fair share of angels, shepherds, stars, and wise people guide and love you through life. I think that may be one more reason I love this prayer/poem and revisit it every year – it gives me a chance to give thanks for all the people in my life who have done the work of Christmas, who have been Christ for me.

This prayer/poem reminds us that when we encounter the Christ child (and the many people in Christ’s nativity) our life is never the same. Through our encounter with this living and faithful nativity, we are refreshed and recharged to do the work of Christmas.

Thank God for you, dear friends. For the work you do and the love you share.

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Beth+