Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
–Luke 2:13-14

It’s been nearly twenty years since my friends Neil and Gwen brought a young college student from Iraq to the walk-thru nativity at our church.

As he left the stable (where I was stationed) after ‘meeting’ Joseph, Mary, and newborn Jesus, he asked, “Is this really true? Did all of this really happen?”

“Yes,” Neil replied, everything he had seen and heard was true.

The young man’s face was a mix of excitement and confusion when he said, “This is amazing! I’ve never heard this story before — or about Jesus. I wonder why no one at home told me. We know God, so why don’t we know about His Son?”

The last stop was a scene with the cross, the empty grave, and Jesus giving His disciples the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20). Neil and Gwen prayed as their friend listened and watched. They prayed for him long after that, too, and took every opportunity to share more of the truth of the Gospel with him.

He returned to Iraq a few months later, so I don’t know if he ever came to really know Jesus. But I do know this: you don’t have to be an angel to share the Good News of salvation. I also know we need to share this news every chance we get because we never know when someone might be hearing it for the very first time.

Prayer

Dear God, Please make me willing and able to share the message of hope and salvation with others. Use me to bring people closer to You. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Reflection

In what ways do I tell others the Great News of Jesus’ birth?