GO and TELL

 

GO and TELL

Why were the shepherds chosen, do you suppose,

to be visited that night out in the cold

by a surprising angel of the Lord?

Why were the shepherds chosen, do you suppose?

We do know that the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem

to witness this wonder of which the angel had spoken -

bringing good tidings of great joy to all peoples

born that day in the city of David's humble stable.

That night the shepherds saw with their own eyes

a newborn baby in the manger lie

cooed too by the cattle's din

for there was no room in the inn.

Mary and Joseph hovered nearby

as they showed off their new little guy

to these shepherds who came from distant plain -

a Savior, Christ the Lord, who would one day reign.

After bearing witness to this sight

the shepherds overwhelmed with much delight

returned to the hillside to guard their flocks

after telling others what they had sought.

They had made known abroad

all they had seen and heard -

witnesses to the Savior's birth

when God's own Son was born on earth.

Is that why, do you suppose,

the shepherds were the ones God chose?

For they went and told

all they had seen and heard.

* * * * *

Christ the Savior is born

celebrated Christmas morn

for the shepherds went and told

and today we too have heard.

"Go and tell" is our mission

to spread the news of salvation

to every person

in every nation.

"Go and tell" good tidings of great joy

to all men and women, girls, and boys

for Christmas is more than toys.

It's a season for joy.

Joy that's given when we believe

that God sent His Son and we receive

this gift of salvation,

redemption, and pardon.

Joy in God's perfect gift to us, a Savior,

who loves us with unconditional favor.

"Go and tell" so everyone everywhere will know

the good tidings of great joy to all peoples.

"Go and tell"

one's heart swells

with God's love to everyone everywhere.

Today let someone you know God does care.

When they had seen him,

they spread the word concerning what had been told them

about this child,

and all who heard it were amazed

at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:17-18