St. Luke 2:15-18

THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2007

WHO DID YOU TELL?

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they hc 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told the by the shepherds. St. Luke 2:15 - 18 (NKJV)

Andy went to work on Monday morning all excited. The minute he came in the door, the people who worked on the assembly line knew something great had happened. As soon as Andy got close enough to them, he started talking. “Guys, I went to the greatest party Saturday night.” As soon as he said that, the guys started turning toward their work saying, “Andy, we have all been to great parties.” Andy replied, “Let me tell you about this one, it was really different.” Andy told them about the different place where the party was held, he talked abut the food and drinks that were served, he talked about the entertainment and then he talked about the guest of honor and the speech that he gave. Andy’s friends were rapidly losing interest until he started telling the jokes the speaker had used. The laughter became louder and louder and people started coming from other areas of the factory. When Andy finished, people came to him and said they wished they could have been there. Everyone went to their work but throughout the day and in the coming days, those who heard what Andy said kept telling Andy’s story to others.

This happens over and over. Maybe you have been Andy, or one who listened to an Andy. Maybe you helped spread the story of the great party.

The Shepherds were invited to a party of sorts. There was no food; the place where it was held was plain and simple; there was no entertainment, but there was a guest of honor, a baby in a manger. The guest of honor did not make a speech, but when the Shepherds 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.

You see, it was just like Andy, but even better because the event was more important. The people had waited for years and years for this long expected Jesus and when they heard the message from the shepherds they marveled at the good news.

Today, millions people are desperately waiting to hear about the Christmas we are celebrating. They need to know that in this world that is filled with wars, violence, terrorism, and man’s inhumanity to man, that there is hope. They desperately want to know. It might be a friend, a clerk at the store, a person you work with, someone you stand in line with; it might even be a member of your own family. Someone wants to know what the Shepherds said about the Child they saw that night at the manger in Bethlehem WHO DID YOU TELL?

WE PRAY:  Heavenly Father, help me to understand that even some of my friends and relatives are searching to know about You, about the promises you have made and the hope that can be theirs. Give me the courage to pass on the message of the Shepherds, not only in this Christmas Season but throughout the year. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Pray! Pray! Pray! St. Paul tells us to pray without ceasing, to never give up. Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill you with the same excitement that filled the Shepherds. Pray also that the Holy Spirit will lead you to that person who so desperately needs to hear the story of Jesus and His Love.