document.open(); document.writeln(""); document.writeln("The Work of Christmas
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The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is"); document.writeln("on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He"); document.writeln("has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives"); document.writeln("and release from darkness for the prisoners\'€¦ to comfort all who mourn\'€¦ to"); document.writeln("bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of"); document.writeln("mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.1

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Christmas has come and gone, and for"); document.writeln("many it is easy to go back into our usual routine and forget why we celebrated"); document.writeln("in the first place. I found the following poem and wanted to share it with you:"); document.writeln("

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When the song of the angels is"); document.writeln("stilled,

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When the star in the sky is gone,

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When the kings and princes are home,

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When the shepherds are back with their"); document.writeln("flock,

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The work of Christmas begins:

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To find the lost,

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To heal the broken,

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To feed the hungry,

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To release the prisoner,

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To rebuild the nations,

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To bring peace among brothers,

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To make music in the heart.2

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Christmas is not just a day out of the"); document.writeln("year where we remember the Savior, instead it is the beginning of a new year of"); document.writeln("diligent work as we continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around"); document.writeln("us. Bringing hope where it is lost, finding lost souls, and sharing the Good"); document.writeln("News of Salvation with them, loving our neighbor, serving others joyfully,"); document.writeln("being peacemakers in the presence of conflict. These are all things we should"); document.writeln("be encouraged and inspired to do because of the great Gift that was given to us"); document.writeln("at Christmas. Let us not forget but be active participants of God\'€™s plan and"); document.writeln("great work.

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Suggested prayer: Dear God, help me not fall back into a"); document.writeln("meaningless routine of busyness, but rather fill me with your Spirit so I can"); document.writeln("be a witness of Christmas every day of the year. Use me to be Your presence to"); document.writeln("someone in need today. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

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  1. Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV).

  2. Howard Thurman.

Today\'s Encounter was written by: Crystal B. 
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This and other devotionals by Richard (Dick) Innes can be read online.

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ACTS International

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