Christmas still

The first Sunday after Christmas day.
The verse of the day should be Luke 2:19; to be like Mary as she treasured and pondered...in her heart.
The two Christmas eve services are past. The relatives have returned to their homes. Some things have been put away. We simplified Christmas more intentionally this year. That means we did not contribute very well to the economic recovery. We wrapped most of our presents in newspapers, gave more Christmas gifts to charities such as the UMCOR Zimbabwe relief or some local needs. Sara knitted me a scarf. Nick is doing special chores for us, we enjoyed some gifts of homemade breads and jams. ( My anonymous Christmas tie giver at church also got in on this trend and gave me,instead, a flock of chickens through Heifer Project and a pair of black socks. Thank you anonymous giver if you read this!)
I did not put up the Christmas lights outside so we reduced some energy consumption. In side the house we put up much less of the decorations as well. It felt simpler. Maybe we can simplify even more next year. And leave more time for pondering this Christ gift, then and now.
Merry Christmas, still....

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 and sisters
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman (1900-1981)

Love came down at Christmas;
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Stars and angels gave the sign.
- Christina Rossetti"

GENTLE, loving God,
you come to me this dayin the form of a tiny, vulnerable baby.
I look on you with wonder and gratitude.
Glory to you in the highest heaven,and on earth, peace among all peoples and nations.
For it is in the name of your child, Jesus,that we pray.Amen.

- Beth A. RichardsonChild of the Light: Walking through Advent and Christmas
From p. 84 of Child of the Light by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2005 by the author. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light......the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.

GOD CALLS us to come home for Christmas.
God calls us to come back from all those places where we have settled for less than the fullness of life promised to us in Christ. God calls us back from all the ambitions and possessions we have pursued, thinking they would satisfy us. God calls us to let go of any bitterness and resistance to forgive that block the light of love from warming us. … God calls us to come home and to rest, to be embraced by one who loves us as we are. God offers us a place where we are fully known and also fully accepted.
- Mary Lou Redding
While We Wait: Living the Questions of Advent
From p. 45 of While We Wait: Living the Questions of Advent by Mary Lou Redding.
Copyright © 2002 by the author.
Published by Upper Room Books.