Scripture: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
Observation: In the latter part of chapter 2 of the book of Luke, we read about the angelic announcement to the shepherds. Immediately, they set out to find this baby… the Saviour of the world… and when they did, they couldn’t contain themselves! They ran throughout the town telling anyone they encountered! In a sense, they became the first missionaries because the Bible tells us they told everyone they saw what had happened!
Application: I remember when I first got saved. I was “on fire” for Jesus, and like the shepherds, I told anyone who would listen. First, it was my mom and two close friends, and then I told my other friends at school. I got into a Bible club, and, well, it was electrifying to be a new Christian!
As I grew older in years and in my faith, that enthusiasm waned. It is shameful to admit that, but it’s true. I got so busy with life that the Lord really took a backseat to my family and career. I never forgot about God, I just didn’t spend much quality time with Him, nor did I make an effort to tell others about Him anymore. I took my salvation for granted.
It’s been decades since I accepted Christ as my Saviour, and I am in a new season of life. My relationship with God is no longer on the back burner, and Christmas means more to me now that it ever did when I was a child. I have realized a valuable truth! Through all the waxing and waning periods of my journey in faith, my Saviour has been with me all along. He has been steadfast in His faithfulness to me as He promised in His Word. Jesus patiently waited for the times when I cried out to Him (usually in the struggles of life), and then, in His great love, He would respond and help me through whatever I was facing. He was always there! Finally, my mind, heart, and soul rekindled the spark of salvation’s joy that I had when I first met Jesus! I rediscovered the need to talk with God every day, and the need to be in His Word. It was a reawakening for me! I had to find ways to share this with others!!
This Christmas, I am more excited than ever to read His Word and really study it. I am learning to listen with an attentive ear to what His Spirit is trying to teach me, and I am spending time every day with Him in prayer and Bible study. What an amazing Christmas season this has been so far for me!
Why not make this Christmas a time to grow closer to Jesus? Rekindle the “fire” of your salvation, and tell others about the little baby who came into the world to save us all from the eternal punishment of our sins? Let’s determine in our hearts to be like the shepherds who, when they heard the angels proclaim, “…Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11), ran to tell others that Jesus had come! Everyone deserves a chance to have God’s greatest gift ever… and if you and I don’t tell them, how will they know?
Prayer: Father God, how incredible it must have been for those shepherds to hear the heavenly announcement that the Saviour had been born! That is what I heard in my heart when Jesus saved me! A heavenly announcement that I was now a child of God, gifted with forgiveness and eternal life! Forgive my complacency about my salvation, and ignite in me a greater passion than ever before to “Go tell it on the mountain!” Jesus has come to save us all from our sins! Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift! In the name of my Saviour I pray! Amen!
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behold thru-out the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
(from “Go, Tell It On the Mountain” by John W. Work)
**********
“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” – Luke 2:17