TOLD!

The Christmas shepherds:

Luke 2:15-20, 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 had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

The shepherds saw then were TOLD a message – “The Messiah, the world’s Savior who is God, has just been born in Bethlehem!”

They also were TOLD – “Glory to God in the highest!  God’s peace to those of His love.”

The shepherds responded to what TOLD – the Messiah in Bethlehem!  “Let’s go!  Now!”

They found all as was TOLD them.

They went to the streets and TOLD all that they were TOLD – the Messiah had been born!

Those of the town marveled at what was TOLD them.

Mary pondered what the shepherds TOLD her.

The shepherds returned with joy and praise for what they had heard and seen as was TOLD them!

“As TOLD them!”  TOLD!  TOLD!  TOLD!  TOLD!  TOLD!  TOLD!  TOLD!  TOLD!

Christmas is about responding to what God has TOLD us!  The word from the Lord was the talk of the shepherds, of the town, fodder for Mary to ponder and the basis of thanksgiving and praise.  It should be our talk, chatter, fodder and basis for praise as well.

What were the shepherds TOLD and what have we been TOLD?  A Savior has been born for men.  The long night of gloom, pain, evil, and death has been pierced with light – a divine Light!  The light of the world was born of Mary and resting in a manger!  Oh, how great their joy – our joy!  “Joy to the world!  The Lord is come!”

Let every heart and mouth give thanks for God’s great gift!

The Gift – John 3:16

For God so loved – God loved His rebellious creation to the point of coming Himself to fix it

the world – those living around Omaha, NE in the year 2021

that He gave – a gift wrapped in swaddling and lying under a tree – in a manger

His only begotten – Himself – God exactly – the Creator, sustainer, and source of life!

Son – One willingly in submission in order to fulfill the heavenly mandate to die for others

that whosoever believes in Him – each asked to accept the gift, unwrap it, and celebrate God!

should not perish – Hell and damnation shelved

but have everlasting life – LIFE with God which is the fullness of love, joy, peace, beauty, and purpose/worth!

GLORY!!!!