A secret too good not to share

• church-life
• christmas

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Published: Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:23

Written by James Dean

Are you any good at keeping secrets? When someone tells you something amazing but then adds, "But don't tell anyone yet; we want it to be a surprise." How frustrating do you find that? Is it difficult for you to hold it in? I'm sure that your inclination is to blurt it out to anyone who will listen. And when the time finally comes when you are allowed to share with others, oh, the relief!

When we have great news it's only natural to want to share it!

Who first told you the good news of the gospel? Do you remember that time when it all clicked, your eyes were finally opened and you saw for the first time the wonder of what Jesus had done for you - yes, for you! Was your first reaction to keep that amazing gift to yourself? Or did you want to tell the world?!

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:8-20

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written,“How beautiful are the feet of to preach the good news!”
Romans 10:14-15
 

I'm still amazed that God chooses to use normal people like you and me to spread his message. I'm 100% sure that if he always used an angel to do it they'd do a much better job than me. And yet, while he has chosen to do that in the past, that's not his preferred way. That's the job he's given us to do. It's down to us to faithfully tell others about what God has done, share with them what Jesus achieved on the cross, and tell of his great love for us - of the free gift of eternal life that he offers to all who will believe. God will do his work of opening the spiritual eyes of those who hear and giving them new hearts to believe, we just have to get the word out!

So who are you going to tell about the real reason we celebrate Christmas?This news is far too good to keep to ourselves, so be brave and share it!