Christmas...You are not alone!
The following article was printed in the 2014 edition of The Marion Ledger:
They were completely alone! Their
life was common at best. I guess you could say it was not a “Wonderful Life”, but more like a common
and ordinary life. A daily routine of care and making provisions for their
charges wore on day after day and month after month. There seemed to be no real
interest in how they were feeling or even how they were doing on their job.
While visible to the eyes of a passerby, they really had lives that were
invisible to the same passerby’s heart. There were no invitations to a party,
an announcement of a job promotion, or even a simply note of thanks. Some of
them probably deemed themselves as victims of an economic and social hierarchy
that left them on the outside looking in. They sat among the rocks, in the dirt,
and along the hillside. Perhaps in the cool of the evening there was a small
fire for warmth, the distant sound of the bleating of a young sheep, and maybe
even the tones of a homemade musical instrument. Forgotten and ignored by the
rest of the world, they would diligently keep watch for a threat to the herd
and consider how to make provisions for a new day. However, for the shepherd
there was really nothing but a life of loneliness.
Looking into a black sky dotted
by the twinkling of heaven’s stars, there must have been an occasional thought
that “There must be more to life than
this! Does anyone care? Does anyone even know who I am or where I am?” There
was loneliness. It was a deep and dark feeling that no one cared and no one
ever would care. The shepherds one by one would sigh to themselves in a state
of discouragement and decide it was time to sleep before a new day would begin.
Just as they were about to sleep a light exploded in the darkness. They was
startled by the brightest light they had ever seen. Not knowing what to do they
simply stared at the light in fear. That is when they heard the voice! Could they
really be hearing a voice? Maybe they had been on the hillside alone and in the
dark too long. It was a voice of God’s messenger saying “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for
all the people (Luke 2:10 ).”
In an instant life as they knew
it had all changed! The promised Messiah had come. For the first time they had
received an invitation. The greatest announcement in all of creation was theirs
to receive. A Savior had come for all people. He was to be called “Emmanuel” which means “God with us.” Never again would they be
alone. Their lives were forever changed by Jesus!
This Christmas Jesus can change
your life as well. So many people enter the holidays filled with grief and
despair. The joy of Christmas on the faces of the crowds and in the hearts of
others really reveals the sadness of their own hearts. Deep inside they are alone.
It does not have to be that way. This year let me encourage you to make an
intentional effort to reach out to, encourage, and minister to someone who
needs to experience the love of Jesus through you. Sure, it might cost you
something, but you might be the very voice, touch, hug, or kind deed someone
needed to see that in Jesus they are not alone!
