Give It Away
- by: Chris Smith 12/18/09
Luke 2:15-18 NIV - “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
A common theme around our church lately has involved “going and doing” and “giving it away.” Many of our people are involved weekly with feeding the homeless and needy around our city through our Care Effect ministry. Our children’s missions programs have helped the homeless with various projects and conducted a block party at the
As Christians we are mandated to share Christ with everyone we come in contact with. It is truly Good News – Christ loves us even though we do not deserve it. Christ loves us even though we may not acknowledge it. The shepherds mentioned in Luke 2 had a life-changing experience. One ordinary night was changed by the visit of an angel followed by a heavenly host of angels proclaiming praises of a great and glorious God. But the excitement didn’t end there. The shepherds responded to the angels’ proclamation and traveled to find Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus just as they were told. The shepherds’ excitement could not be contained. Theirs was a story so stirring that they could not keep it to themselves. They probably told everyone that would give them a few minutes to relay the events of that glorious night. They gave away their new-found joy and exhilaration.
I encourage you to seek out ways you can “give it away” this Christmas season. Don’t keep what God has done for you a secret. Share the Lord’s blessings in your life with those around you. I think you will find a renewed enthusiasm by doing so. I know others will be blessed by your outpouring of love. In all things may Christ be glorified. The shepherds gave away the news of Christ’s birth. God gave away his one and only son as the sacrifice for our sins. It’s now up to you.