Monday Reflections: The Twelfth Day

The work of Christmas begins and continues in our peacemaking, justice-seeking and music-making. The work of Christmas begins and continues as we grow in love toward all. (Illustration by Jim Star.)

Today is the celebrated twelfth day of Christmas. In Christian liturgy, the Christmas season comprises the 12 days from December 25 to January 5. On January 6, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. In Latinx cultures, January 6 is a big holiday. On this day, we celebrate the coming of the Wise Men bringing gifts to the Christ child. This story is significant because it reveals the universality of God’s love. God’s gift in Christ was not to be relegated to a specific geographic area but to all the world.

So Christmas is over, now what? We return to our campuses, focus on commencement and begin planning for next year. Soon after commencement, most schools know approximately how their new class enrollment will shape up. Then comes the grind of summer planning, and we begin again.

Reflecting on the meaning of Christmas, Howard Thurman – educator, civil rights leader and pastor – wrote:

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 flocks,
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 the people,
to make music in the heart.

The work of Christmas begins and continues as we make budget decisions for next year, meet with donors, support students, repair relational bridges – and in every personal decision we make. The work of Christmas begins and continues in our peacemaking, justice-seeking and music-making. The work of Christmas begins and continues as we grow in love toward all.

Here is the thing, my friend, yes, it is hard. But we do not have to do this alone. It is not meant for us to go at it alone. Not only can we lean on the guidance of the Divine, but also on the company of other peacemakers and justice-seeking and love-guided people in your community and all over the world.

You are not alone. We are with you.

Prayer

Divine Love, guide me in the work of Christmas, which now begins. Guide me in every hard decision I will have to make. Help me understand I am not alone.