When the Party is Over - 12/26/99

Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:21-24

When the song of the angels is silent

    When the star in the sky is gone

    When the kings and princes are home

    When the shepherds are again tending their sheep

    When the manger is darkened and still

    The work of Christmas begins --

      To find the lost

      To heal the broken

      To feed the hungry

      To rebuild the nations

      To bring peace among people

      To befriend the lonely

      To release the prisoner

      To make music in the heart.

    -- Howard Thurmond in Parables Etc.  >>

Mary and Joseph followed the usual routine – circumcised at eight days, purification at 40 days.  At some point moved into a house.  But things kept happening – angels and shepherds, magi, dreams with warnings, etc.

What about us today?  Nothing is the same after having a baby – no longer free to come and go when you want, two o’clock feedings, etc.; but life goes on.  What difference does the birth of Christ make for us after the holiday is over?