December 16
Joy in the Manger
Luke 2:15–20
“15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
The shepherds ran to see Jesus and left rejoicing. They couldn’t help but share what they had heard about Jesus and then witnessed with their own eyes. Evangelism isn’t always fueled by strategy. Sometimes, it’s simply fueled by joy. Joy for what has been promised and is yet to come. Joy for what God has already done and continues to do. Joy because God keeps His word, just as the shepherds experienced. That kind of evangelism is contagious. Joy seems to multiply when shared.