And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:16-20
Every Christmas Eve, many people I do not recognize enter the building for worship. Early in ministry, this would bother me, “Why wouldn’t they come all the time to worship God?”
Then COVID hit in 2020! Last Christmas, we saw only about 100 people in attendance when we usually see three times that number. I found myself feeling amazingly grateful, especially after an Easter where nobody was in the sanctuary except the Worship Ministry Team, me, and a little black box representing hundreds of people watching on their TV, computers, phones, and tablets.
When I think of the events surrounding our Lord’s birth some 2000 years ago, there were not 100 people assembled or hundreds watching him on TV. Instead, only a handful of family members, a few awestruck shepherds, and livestock were there. And this is how 42 chose to enter and save the world.
Let us make haste to seek and experience him.
Let us enthusiastically tell others what the messengers tell us.
Let us glorify and praise God for what he has done!
Merry Christmas!
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