WHEN CELEBRATORY MOMENTS END
** My adaptation of Howard Thurman’s poem,
“When the Song of the Angels is Stilled”
When the last Christmas light has shone
When the starry host regather around the throne
When the nativity pieces have been wrapped and packed
And the shepherds returned to their flocks intact
When the baubles and trinkets are stored
And the magi’s gifts have been explored
The trappings of Christmas done
Yet not done, the reality has just begunDeclaring good news next door
Forgiving the hard to love, to restoreSending clothes to the neighborhood closet
To the poor a generous depositAround our tables sharing food
Even the stranger to includeVisiting those in assisted living
Sharing our smiles with thanksgivingPraying for one and all, unity in matters that matter
Bringing hope, peace, and light, the darkness to shatterHis image-bearers in our dark world
The banner of his Kingdom unfurledWhen celebratory moments end
~Original, 2021
To others, Jesus we commend.
As you read the poem,
consider the words of our Lord in these passages:
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
Luke 4:16 -19
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:24-40
Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
John 20:21-22
Jesus is sending us, commissioning us as His ambassadors, and equipping up with His Spirit to do the good works He ordained for us to do — to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God in service to others. Sharing His love with others is the ongoing message of Christmas!
If you want to read one more inspiration piece, I invite you to read this one: “Darkness Diminishing.”
#Poetry #RandomThoughts #Inspiration #DevotionalWriting #Christmas
