Who Will YOU Tell?

Many people seem to have forgotten that Christmas is not about the decorations, the presents under the tree, a fine meal, or the pageantry that so many experience. Christmas is a time for giving...giving of ourselves just as Jesus gave Himself to us. 

Some of my favorite Christmas memories had to do with reaching out to others with a message of love and hope and peace. I remember one Christmas here in Central Florida. It was December 25th 1989, and it was the coldest day we had experienced in a very long time. We had planned to spend the day ministering in the local prison, my two teenaged sons along with another dear friend and her family. 

Off we went to join the prisoners in a church service at their chapel and then to help the chaplain give out toys and gifts to the prisoner's families as they left the institution that day. That morning, as we drove along the long deserted road that was lined with orange groves on the left, there were icicles hanging from the trees...a sight that was very uncommon in our area. 

When we arrived at the prison, we found that the electricity was off because our whole area was experiencing a brown-out due to the intense cold weather. There was no heat, no lights, but many inmates were there at the chapel just the same to celebrate this glorious day. 

Well somehow we made it through the church service and as the afternoon was upon us, we stood outside in the bitter cold waiting for the families of the inmates to begin leaving. Christmas was a "special" visit day when loved ones could spend an extra visit and share a little Christmas joy. And as we waited, the wind picked up and we were all freezing outside, and we saw the families members beginning to leave one by one, and we were able to offer them small gifts and toys that had been donated for them. It was a small thing that we could do for these precious people who had so little hope. We were able to share a smile, a hug, a prayer and a little encouragement on this cold Christmas Day. 

Isn't that what Christmas is supposed to be about? Isn't that the example that Jesus gave to us? Think about it...it wasn't convenient for the King of Glory to leave the splendors of Heaven to be born into this dirty, sin-filled world in a barn where there was the smell of cow and sheep dung. And outside that little stable, the people were scurrying all around going on with their lives as usual, not the least bit concerned for this dear little family tucked away in a lonely stable about to bring into the world the Promised King. Most of them didn't even notice the star that shone so brightly that night. 

And the angels... they could have chosen anyone to declare this glorious event to...but they chose to appear to a group of lowly shepherds out in the field watching their flock by night. Why? Maybe it was because God knew that these shepherds would stop what they were doing and go to pay respect to the birth of His Only Begotten Son. And as they were going...miracle of all miracles...the heavens were filled, as far as the eyes could see with the Heavenly hosts declaring "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 

Friends, God gave His very best to you and to me on that night so long ago. We were ALL lost and imprisoned in sin with no hope of ever escaping. And it was a life sentence with no possibility of parole. In fact, we were on "death row", for the wages or the penalty for sin is death. The only way we could possibly be set free was by placing our faith and trust in God's Son...the very one who was born in that stable and grew up doing good for everyone...and then He paid the death penalty on our behalf so that we wouldn't have to die, but we could live forever with Him. But that isn't all because He arose on the 3rd day proving to everyone that even death could not hold Him. And then, before He ascended back to Heaven, He made us a promise that He will return one day to receive us unto Himself. And Friends, I am waiting that day and I don't think it's very far away! 

So let me ask you today, before this Christmas season is over...who can you share the same love with that God shared with us on that first Christmas night? Is there someone who is lost and in desperate need of a Savior? Is there a people group you can reach out to who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ? Think about it...God wants your light to shine into the darkness of this world. Where will you go? Who will you tell?