The Work of Christmas: The Twelve Days of Christmas with Howard Thurman

by Bruce G. Epperly

Let us begin the work of Christmas! This book is a celebration of the twelve days of Christmas, offering us a chance to dwell on the meaning of the season in dialog with the wisdom of one of America's greatest mystics and activists, Howard Thurman. Thurman knew that Christmas always begins in darkness—the darkness of the womb, the darkness of human violence and oppression, the darkness of hopelessness. In Christmas, Thurman reminds us, a light shines even in the darkness, and this light will never be defeated. God’s light streams into the most unexpected places—a stable, among foreign magi from another religious tradition, and in the varieties of human culture and ethnicity. Just a little light can transform the darkness and help us anxious pilgrims find our way. During the twelve days of Christmas, our goal is to experience God’s light, despite the temptation to close our hearts in a world too often characterized by racism, sexism, polarization, nationalism, and exclusion. This season asks us instead to open our hearts and our lives, so that throughout the year ahead, we may be light-bearers, carrying the message of Divine justice and hope, making it come alive even in the darkest corners of the world. This is the year-round work of Christmas!

Genres: Christmas, Spirituality, Devotional

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2017

Reviews

[Cralls · Rating 3 out of 5]

For whatever reason I expected this to be twelve excerpts from Howard Thurman. The structure for each day is a Bible verse, a short quote from Thurman, a devotional from Epperly then an application and prayer. Sometimes I hardly even saw the connection or importance of the Thurman quote. That doesn’t necessarily need to be a bad thing, just be aware of what it is. Also somewhat disappointing to me is that it seems every white of Thurman’s was taken from the same book. I’d rather just read that book personally and have this simply be Epperly writing his own little devotional with Thurman’s name attached.

As for the content, I generally enjoyed it although as it went in I was less enthusiastic. It was inspirational but a bit soft. I’m glad I read it but probably won’t be reading it again.

[Daniel Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Centering during the season

This lovely book helps one to center oneself in the true meaning of Christmas, and to keep doing that all year long, guided by beautiful, faith-filled language. It is a book to which to return year after year.

[Linda George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book to read after Christmas.

[Jackie Harris]

Great after Christmas contemplative reading.

[Michael McCue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Work of Christmas: The Twelve Days of Christmas with Howard Thurman by Bruce Epperly is a devotional guide to be read during the traditional 12 day Christmas season. Howard Thurman was an African-American theologian and minister who lived and wrote in the 20th Century. Thurman founded what was said to be the first inter racial religious congregation in the US, the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco. After that he was Dean of the Chapel at Boston University. Bruce Epperly took a brief bit of Thurman's writing and added his own reflections to each daily chapter. All the chapters make up a call to live a more reflective and compassionate life. While I had heard of Howard Thurman before I read The Work of Christmas I want to read some of his works myself. I also want to read more of what Mr. Epperly has written.