Once all our sacred celebrations are over, what happens? When the candles all burn down, and the fire has grown cold; when the stable is empty and the tree is gone, what do we do? Does this season of light, love and peace travel with us through the year or do we pack all that away with the decorations?
As the New Year approaches, many will have made attempts to forgive past wrongs, create new ways of doing things and challenge themselves to live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. However, by the end of January, many of us will have forgotten the ideals of releasing past pains, sorrows and disappointments in order to begin the new year with new purpose, strength and courage. We will have returned, as humans tend to do, to old ways, old thoughts and old practices that failed to bring us any joy.
Rev. Howard Thurman, one of the renown philosophers, activists and writers of the twentieth century wrote a poem, “The Work of Christmas,” which can apply to all faith paths that celebrate these days of Light and Darkness. The last lines are so profound. He wrote, “then the work … begins: to find the lost, to heal those broken in spirit, to feed the hungry, to release the oppressed, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among all peoples, to make a little music with the heart.”
His words challenge us to look deeply at all the sentiments we mouth during this time of year. Compassion, hope, peace and love are not attitudes for one day, one week, one month but rather, they are practices for our daily lives throughout the year.
Let us not forget, that once the light has illuminated what was once dark and scary, we are responsible for continuing to bring peace and hope to others. We can no longer step into the world, turn on the light, say, “Oh, how pretty,” and then turn the light off and step away. We cannot be compassionate to others one minute and turn our backs on them the next. We cannot give to a good cause during the holidays and refuse to give to those who are suffering in our own families, communities and nations once the holidays are over.
Think about it. By the end of January, we will have spent hours pondering, speaking, displaying and acting with the values that our holy seasons epitomize. These philosophies cannot be banished to the back of a closet or exchanged for something more comfortable, simply because our holidays are over. They must be embraced and carried with us daily, so that when we reach the end of the year to come, we aren’t suddenly roused from our stupor by the brightness of the season. Rather, we will be among those who hold their candles higher, knowing that together we can do amazing things.
So here is the challenge, as you divide the gifts you received into piles of “keep or exchange,” as you lovingly put away the holiday decorations that remind you of moments from the past, as you return to your daily duties without the rush of making cookies, or wrapping presents or attending gatherings, let us leave out something that will remind us of all those thoughts of peace, love and joy. Let us keep a memento of this season where we will see it to inspire us to keep the season alive within us all year round. Let us, as Rev. Thurman wrote, “make a little music with the heart,” and share it with the world.
Rev. Dr. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas is an ordained interfaith minister. She graduated with a doctorate in Theology from The New Seminary in New York City. She often fills the pulpit in local churches. She maintains an international, online ministry through Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/revlindaneas.) She is also a certified Spiritual Coach. Rev. Linda lives in South Deerfield with her beloved Roger in their “Enchanted Cottage.”