Artwork:
The Birth of Jesus with Shepherds by François Vidil, (1973). In collaboration with the Mafa Community in Cameroon, Africa, Father François Vidil created a series of artwork known as Vie de Jesus (Life of Jesus). A serene and joyful depiction of the shepherds looking upon the baby Jesus while illuminated by the warm glow of a fire.

Advent Devotional

A great gulf exists between the wonder of hearing the Christmas story and the challenge of proclaiming it. On one level, our hesitancy makes no sense. What could be a more joyous announcement to tell a friend, relative, co-worker, or even a total stranger than the good news! God has come to earth—not only to reveal Himself  clearly to us but to powerfully save us from our sins! Joy to the world! So what stops us for telling it on the mountain and everywhere?

On another level it makes perfect sense for us to expect resistance, rejection, and outright hatred. Jesus promised that we’d face these kinds of responses – and worse! We tend to forget—at our own peril—that the same Lord who proclaimed, “God so loved the world…” (John 3:16) also warned, “You will behated by everyone because of me” (Matt. 10:22).

That’s because the gospel message is both good news and bad news. The gospel tells us we’re more wicked and sinful than we ever dared believe and, at the same time, more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope. While the message about Jesus promises forgiveness, grace, and eternal life, it also requires repentance, humility, and “dying to self.”

So, yes, go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and every- where. Not everyone will rejoice with you, but it’s well worth it to take the risk. Because, for some people—perhaps many—the response will be “When I was a sinner, I prayed both night and day, I asked the Lord to help me and He showed me the way.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I pray that you open doors
for me to tell others the good news
of the Christmas story. Please lead me to
people who have softened hearts,
ready to repent, receive, and rejoice.
And when I face opposition, may
the joy of Your love for me outweigh
people’s rejection of me.