Go, Spread the Word!

Scripture

⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

 

Devotion

 Well, Christmas Day has come and gone.  The presents are open.  More than one child has already broken one of their toys.  And people have settled in to watch football and wait until the next quickly-approaching holiday.  Our local grocery stores are already selling Valentines Day snack cakes.

For those of us who follow the liturgical calendar, Christmas isn't just a day.  It's an entire season.  Christians are called to spend 14 days reflecting on what it means that God has come to Earth in the form of a the Christ Child.  During those days, we are also called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus's birth for all to hear.

 The Gospel of Luke says that the first time this Good News was when angels appeared to regular shepherds in the fields.  Shepherds were among society's outcasts at that time.  Though they performed an important role for their society, they were known for being dirty, smelly, and pretty rough around the edges.  And yet it was these people who were the first to not only see the Christ child but also spread the word even further.  They must have done a good job, because Luke says that everyone who listened to them was amazed.

We may not have seen skies full of the heavenly host, but we have still heard the Gospel for someone. Thanks to them, we too have become witnesses to Christ's birth.  We too get to sing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”  And we too are called to go out and spread the good news everywhere we go so that others may make their way to go worship the babe in the manger.

Friends, the world needs to hear some good news now more than ever.  And so as this year so marked by hardship and grief comes to a close, I encourage each of us to be like the shepherds.  May we who have gazed in wonder at God-come-down-to-Earth share what we have seen and heard with others.  And may we never forget to keep sharing that astonishing news with all who will listen.  The more we proclaim it, the more it spreads.  One day, the whole world will resound with the joyful news of Jesus's birth.

 

Prayer

 Infant Jesus, we stand by your manger and stare in amazement.  Help us to share our wonder with others so that all the world may come to rejoice in your love for us.  Amen.