The crib is back in storage, the magi have returned home by another route, shepherds tend to their flocks, choirs of angels have stopped singing, for the moment, the star is gone, poinsettias are barely hanging in.

While Christmas is over, it was just the beginning of changing the world. Only one thing can stop it. You and me ... us. Us. Look at Jesus, John and yourself. Each of us.

Look, there is Jesus. No one can live on Christmas alone. Jesus did not stay in Bethlehem, making the crib his condo for life. He grew up in age, grace, and wisdom. He began his public life by being baptized and then spent most of his time with sinners.

He preached a twin message: Love God above all else, love your sisters and brothers as much as you love yourself.

Jesus became one of us not merely to say something but to do something: to save us from sin by being crucified for us. Even the crucifixion was not the end. It was the beginning of life with God.

When you look at John the Baptist, the Scriptures explain that John was great in God’s eyes because his life had a single focus, John pointed to Jesus. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” He never pointed to himself. Not only in his life, but in his death, John pointed to Jesus.

King Herod was perplexed by what Jesus did. Remembering him saying, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” Luke adds, “And he sought to see Jesus.”

Even in death, John pointed to Jesus.

Look, there you are. Like John, you are to point to Christ in your little world. Because he calls each of us to do different things, each of us points in different ways: St. Laurence pointed with his blood. St. Elizabeth pointed with her service to those in need. St. Pius X pointed as pope. St. John Vianney pointed with the hand of forgiveness. St. Francis pointed by his simplicity. Mary pointed with her whole life.

To imitate Christ is to follow him on his journey. It means that whoever you are, whatever your work, the thing that should motivate you are these words of Christ: “I seek not my will but the will of him who sent me.”

The new pastor of a tiny backwoods parish assembled his small congregation and announced certain improvements he planned to make in the church building. Among them was the proposed purchase of a chandelier.

Hearing this, one old parishioner stood up and objected to the purchase of a chandelier. “First of all,” he said, “we don’t buy anything we can’t spell. Secondly, I’m sure none of us could play it. And. Thirdly, the church is too dark. It needs more light.”

Jesus has told us that we are to be the “light of the world” and that your light must shine before others so they can see that the good things you do glorify your heavenly Father.

Does your light shine on Jesus?