"The work of Christmas continues..."

So began the benediction at the close of the candlelight Christmas Eve service I attended last night at the UU church with my three children. As we sat in the center back of the sanctuary I imagined what a fine picture our congregation made with our faces warmly aglow in our cradled candle flames. I envied the view that the choir and Reverand Sue had, elevated in front, looking so kindly upon us.
How else should one look on Christmas, in candlelight, no matter what pain or disappointment may lie in one's heart?
My twin daughtere sat to either side of me, a little giddy with being 10, and it being Christmas, and the presents that waited at home, so I gently hushed them with a silent finger placed to my lips so as to not harm the spirit of the moment for the others there.
Reverand Sue continued...
"...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 the brothers and sisters,
to make music in the heart."
Christmas is my least favorite holiday. Each year I've tried to understand why.
Maybe I don't like how Christmas is dragged out over such a relatively long period of time; the 'Christmas Season'. The expectation of such a protracted yet concentrated expression of connection and generosity in a few weeks during some of the worst weather we have, has always made me feel not up to the task. I feel alternately pressured or inadequate and my efforts either unnoticed or unappreciated. Oh, I invariably leave someone out.
For me Christmas is not an event so much as it is an attitude and so, I prefer to do Christmas, year round and a little each day
I have to pace myself...I just can't take Christmas all at once. Wishing you the spirit of Christmas all year round - Haveahope