This Sunday, I’m preaching on the subject ‘Tis the season to share the good news. The story is from Luke 2:8-20 where the angel appeared to shepherds to announce Jesus’ birth. Can you imagine what the shepherds experienced that night? Minding their own business, watching their sheep, and all of a sudden an angel appeared declaring to them that the long-awaited Messiah had been born in Bethlehem. It’s such a familiar story, but there are some things left to learn from this story.

1. God’s good news is for all people. The angel told the shepherds the good news was for “all the people.” Announcing to shepherds affirmed that truth. Shepherds were lowly, unclean (because their employment wouldn’t allow them to keep the ceremonial laws), and poor. The angel and the heavenly host did not announce the Messiah’s birth to the rich, wealthy and powerful (though the gospel is for them as well), but announced it to the poorest and lowest of the day. God’s good news is to be shared with all people.
2. God’s Christmas story is full of wonder. The events of the first Christmas are amazing: virgin conception, angelic announcements, “great with child” traveling for Mary to Bethlehem, birth in a stable (with no Dr., nurse or anesthesia and only Joseph to help deliver the child), God taking on human flesh, etc. All too often familiarity with these events can create apathy. We should pause this season to “ponder” (as Mary did) the Christmas events.

We should take the time this season to rejoice at the wonder of the Christmas story. We should look for people to share the good news of Christmas with. God sent his Son as a baby to become the sacrifice for your sins and mine. Christmas is good news.

Will you give to share the good news? The Lottie Moon Christmas offering goes directly to missionaries so they can share Christ with the nations.

Will you go to share the good news? Maybe a neighbor or co-worker needs the good news. Will step out of your comfort zone to share the good news this Christmas?

Will you learn to share the good news? Maybe you’re not sure what to say, how to tell someone about Jesus. Find someone who shares Christ and ask them to teach/show you what to say.

Will you pray to share the good news? The simplest and most direct way you can share this season is to pray that God will send workers into his harvest.

Christmas is a story of wonder and it is for all people. Will you share it?

I’m beginning my annual personal evaluation of 2015. For my family and me, it was a year of transition. We moved to a new church, new preschool, new home and new area where almost everything has been different. We’ve experienced adjustments, and I’m now at the time every year where I begin to evaluate and plan. While I’ll not advocate specific resolutions, thinking on the upcoming new year is a good time to consider your spiritual well-being. Here are some thoughts as we move into 2016.

1. No one sets a resolution to remain spiritually stagnant for the new year, but spiritual stagnation is often the result of the choices we make. Some things about our spiritual life are beyond our control–circumstances, changes, health issues, family issues, etc. But other things, like spiritual disciplines, we do control. May I make an observation? If your spiritual life did not develop as you had hoped in 2015, do something different in 2016. Don’t remain stagnant. If need be, use a devotional guide like My Utmost for His Highest, or a new Bible reading plan. Begin a prayer journal. Memorize a verse of Scripture every month, etc. In other words, add a discipline to your devotional life this year to avoid spiritual stagnation.
2. Don’t think of surprises, transitions, or challenges as enemies to your spiritual life. Rather, allow God to use the circumstances you can’t see coming in the new year to drive you to seek him. Having to sense God’s direction with clarity this year forced me to pause, listen and discern God’s will. Instead of complaining or worrying about the unknown and unexpected, embrace it as an opportunity to grow closer to Christ.
3. Build on your already established good habits. Maybe you enjoy a strong devotional life, attend church regularly, and serve in your church in some capacity. Amen! Continue in those practices and build on them in 2016. If you attend church 2x a month, then build on that habit and try for 3x. You can also use your area of service as a means of developing your spiritual life. God regularly uses my sermon preparation as a means of spiritual correction in my life. Take time to ask God how singing in the choir or praise team, teaching a children’s Sunday school class or serving as an usher can become a place of spiritual growth in your own life.
4. Explore the God-ordained means of relationships as means of spiritual growth. One of the most important tools God will ever use to mold and change you is another person. Get to know people who are spiritually mature. Take them to lunch or have them over for dinner and ask them about their walk with Christ. Talk with those who have experienced similar challenges and circumstances to yourself. God gives us others so we don’t have to walk this Christian pilgrimage alone.

These thoughts are not exhaustive, but I trust they are encouraging. I hope and pray 2016 will be a year of spiritual growth in your life.