The Acamedy Awards were held some months ago. The newspapers printed reports on the event days before it was held, with most of the reports speculating on which movies and actors would claim the coveted Oscar. One such article asserted that the honor was not necessarily bestowed on the most talented actor or the best movie, but on those who had done the best PR work. Lots of hype, lots of advertising, lots of interviews surround these movies and the people associated with them in the hope that we will open our pocketbooks and go to see them. It often works! It works in the business and political worlds too. Press conferences are held to make sure that the public will hear and hail the decisions those leaders make.
Here we are, ready to celebrate the birth of Christ - a major event, even for those who don't believe in Him. Today this celebration is heralded back in October, or at least November, by merchants filling their shelves with enticing gifts, decorations, cards, and all the trappings of Christmas.
How different from the first Christmas! Mary and Joseph settled down in an inn. There were no photograpers waiting outside to snap the first picture of the new king. No one knew what was happening! No one, that is, except for the parents and the host of Heaven who made the announcement. But to whom was this announcement made? To the powerful who would speed through the towns and villages, spreading the news? No, to shepherds who were outcasts, hired hands to low on the social scale they weren't even allowed to give testimony in a court of law, nor were they allowed to come into the Temple.
Yet these were the ones chosen by God to tell the good news. These wretched creatures saw the angels with " ...the glory of the Lord [shining] around them..." They heard the message the angels brought: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord . . . You will find a baby . . .lying in a manger" (Luke 2:9,10). They saw, they listened, and then they went to see for themselves. After receiving the Good News, they spread it. "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" (Luke 2:17-18).
If lowly shepherds could tell the story, can't we as well? "All who heard it were amazed," Luke writes, but he doesn't say all believed. all we're asked to do is tell the story. How could fear, uncertainty, or apathy hold us back? This is the biggest news mankind has ever received! As stewards of the Gospel, we have no choice but to follow the example of the shepherds and "spread the word concerning what has been told [us] about this child."
