Christmas Clean Up and Work

Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you.  He is the Messiah the Lord.  (Luke 2:11)

After Christmas, there is clean up, restocking, and looking at the checkbook/credit card bill.  The presents are open, and the garbage can is full of the wrapping paper bought and wrapped so carefully before Christmas.  We are beginning to ask, "How long can we eat on this (ham/turkey/whatever)." 
Howard Thurman has a great poem that we have used on our benediction on Christmas Eve:
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 real work of Christmas is to continue to the work of Jesus.  Part of following Jesus is to continue His work. 
    But the other angle on this is that there is a sense that Jesus came to keep us form believing we have to do and do in order to get to heaven.  Christ came down not just so we would be inspired to do good, but because our goodness is limited.  "Born to raise the sons of earth- born to give them second birth" (Hark the Herald Angels Sing).  The power of Christmas is in the person of the baby born- the little Prince of Peace.  We are called to put our trust in Him.  He will cleanse and save us from sin.  From the beginning He is called "The Savior" by the angel.  He cleans us up.  He helps us up.  Work is inadequate.  Trust is our calling from the birth of Christ.  When we trust Him, then we are inspired to do His work.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in you and thus be inspired to do your work.