During this most wonderful time of the year we hear much of the most beautiful story ever told; the drama of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. All the elements which make for an inspiring story are present: love and loss, tragedy and triumph, vice and virtue. But there is one essential quality which must not be overlooked—the story is true.
We can ill afford to romanticize away the reality, the historical reality, of the birth of God’s Son. Thus, this and every Christmas we emulate the Bethlehem shepherds.
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds (Luke 2:16-18).
Notice the shepherds do two things:
1) They “came” and “found” Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus,
2) They joyously and unashamedly told those who cared to listen (and perhaps even those who didn't care to listen) the story of the newborn Child who was the Son of God.
Likewise, Christians have done these same two things for over two thousand years. We revisit The Nativity and we “make widely known” what we know to be true: The Son of God has come to save His people from their sins. Joy to the world!
The shepherds couldn’t keep quiet. How can we?