I dare you not to laugh at this.
When there is good news to be shared it is easy to tell everyone you see. With the birth of each of our children there were many phone calls, some even from the delivery room shortly after the birth, as we called friends and relatives about the miracle of life and the gift that we had received.
This story from Luke is about the shepherds, special shepherds who tended the flocks of special, perfect sheep. Who appears to them? What is their reaction? What news does the angel announce? How do the shepherds react then?
These shepherds were the first group of people outside the immediate family to hear about the birth of Jesus. A Savior was born, the long-awaited Messiah had been brought forth to begin the lifelong ministry that would change the hearts and lives and the very souls of all who believed.
What tremendous and exciting news. What incredible information had been imparted to these men who were out in the cold, lonely world.
Like the shepherds, we too are out in the world going about our daily tasks of work and caring for ourselves and family. But good news breaks into our lives and we are made aware of the wonderful love that God has shown all of us. And with that news comes great joy – not just for ourselves, but for all people. There is hope. There will be peace. God has shown His love, and so we experience joy.
The shepherds went to bear witness to this incredible birth, and from there they went back out into the world sharing the joy they had experienced personally.
This is the introduction of our ministry. We too must experience Christ on a personal level, and then we should go into the world spreading the news of joy we have known.
DAILY CHALLENGE: With whom can you share your joy?
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