Luke 2.15-20
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.” So they went
with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When
they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and
all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary
treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it
had been told them.
The experience of the shepherds mirrors a lot of how God
operates today. They encountered God through messengers (another word for
angels). Their experience of God profoundly moved them. It caused them to take risks in going where
they felt God leading them (when they left their flocks they were risking their
jobs and livelihoods), and caused them to share the message of God’s love and
grace to others (in this case, with Mary and Joseph and anyone else they
encountered as they left the manger).
Allen Zugelter, Director of Evangelism & UrbanLife
Although I am extremely dismayed with the commercialization
of Christmas (it’s Jesus’ birthday, not ours!), it does have a positive
consequence. This is the season where everyone, believer or not, is most aware
of Jesus. And because everyone is most aware of Jesus during this time, this
may be the best time of year for us to allow ourselves to be used as God’s
messengers. By delivering an invitation from God.
I am a Christian because of an invitation; God used someone
as a messenger to reach me. I imagine that many of us share this same story. We
were invited, and then profoundly affected.
Now let’s complete the circle by sharing what we have encountered. All
it takes is a personal invitation.
I invite you to pray: Lord,
please use me to invite_______ to Christmas Eve services this year. Make me one
of your messengers. Then help ________ to hear the “good news of great joy”
that you have come to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Allen Zugelter, Director of Evangelism & UrbanLife
