This blog is from Rev Gail Souppouris, the Vicar of the Church of the Good Shepherd on Shoreham Beach. She apologies for not having penned something original but as Christmas is one of her busiest times, she's going to rely on the lovely words of another Reverend, Rev'd Dr Sara I Chandler.
"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 kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, to heal the broken,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, to heal the broken,
to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among brothers and sisters,
to bring peace among brothers and sisters,
to make music in the heart"
Howard Thurman
Following is based on a reflection from Rev'd Dr Sara I Chandler via The answer. St Margaret's Woodbridge, Virginia.
"This little piece reminds us that the real Christmas is not putting up a tree or taking it down, not in decorating or undecorating, not in shopping or in returning things to the store. Not in eating too much or singing too many carols. Rather the work of Christmas is recognising the meaning of Christ's coming for the world and us. To understand that the meaning comes from beginning to live it out.
By mending a quarrel...seeking out a forgotten friend.....dismissing suspicion and replacing it with trust....writing a letter...sharing some treasure....giving a soft answer...encouraging youth....manifesting our faith in word and deed...keeping a promise....Finding the time....Foregoing a grudge....forgiving an enemy...listening...apologising if you were wrong...trying to understand...rejecting envy as unworthy....Examining your demands on others...appreciating others...being kind and gentle...laughing a little...laughing a little more...taking up arms against malice...challenging complacency...Expressing your gratitude....Welcoming a stranger...speaking your love....
Speak your love again....not just to those who are close to you, but to each person you meet… speak your love to those you find it difficult to like…speak your love to those who don’t appear to like you … speak your love as if you were speaking it to the Christ-child – the baby we welcome today … speak your love, and his love … speak it, then speak it still once more!"
And here is a little something from me.
Happy Christmas and see you in the New Year.
And here is a little something from me.
Happy Christmas and see you in the New Year.
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