From Our Pastors – December 29, 2023

Rev. Megan
Berkowitz

Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman

Pastor Amy
December  29, 2023


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.

 The Work of Christmas, by Howard Thurman

I had to laugh as I opened the door to my office for the first time this week after our Christmas Eve service. Our Christmas pageant whale, flowers, camel, and piles of costumes greeted me, along with paperwhite bulbs from our Longest Night service, lantern-makings from our children’s community art evening, printed packets of Christmas carols, and so much more. It was a beautiful, if disheveled, reminder of so many moments of Advent joy, peace, and love. The bustle, preparations, and sparkle of the days leading us to Christmas morning can sometimes feel a bit like a whirlwind – a beautiful swirling snow globe of gatherings, tasks, care, and emotions.

As the swirl settles, I invite you this week to take a breath, rest, and tend to your spirit. Where are you finding gratitude and peace now that Christmas day is over? Where are you still seeing God’s light shining? How is the true light and gift of Christmas leading you to new life this season? As we begin to pack away Christmas decorations and gifts, let us not inadvertently pack away what’s truly most important, the hope and meaning of it all: God’s love in Jesus being birthed again in us and through us into our world. The work of Christmas in and through us, as Howard Thurman says, is only just beginning. May you feel Christ’s love, light, hope, and peace being born and growing in you anew, as we begin the good work of this new year together.

With Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Amy

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