The Christmas story is truly amazing

It’s Christmas. Time for parties, pageantry and presents. But the real story is about:

•The shepherds. Sheep herders had so little status in first-century Palestine that they weren’t even deemed reliable enough to testify in court.

Yet God chose them to announce his son’s arrival and they in turn went out and told it to the world. Amazing. Luke records, “When they had seen him, they spread the word.” Here’s your answer to “could God use someone like me?” You don’t need to be a seminary graduate. Just tell folks what you’ve seen, heard and the change Christ has made in your life. Share the word and God will do the rest.

•Those who heard their story. “All who heard it were amazed” Luke 2:18. God’s grace still amazes people. “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” II Corinthians 5:19. What a message. “Your sin-debt is canceled, your books are reconciled, now you can have a personal relationship with God by simply trusting in Christ. Amazing.

•Mary. Luke writes, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” Luke 2:19. She wanted to understand what God was doing and how it related to her. And you need to do that too. God doesn’t change – but he moves. And you need to stay in step with him. If you do, he will use you and bless you in ways that are amazing.