12/16/2020 – Pastor Brian’s Blog –
Over the past 18 years I have had the honor of being the chaplain for our local police department. Over those years Judy and I have had officers and their families in our home, we have celebrated Christmas together, we have had cookouts as well as special services in our church to honor them.
Although we have enjoyed those times together, there are times when things are not so pleasurable, those times when there is no laughter, times when I get that phone call to meet up with an officer. To meet up with an officer to deliver a devastating message to a family or individual. A message that will alter and change their lives forever, because of the urgency of the message.
There was a night long ago when shepherds were minding their own business, doing what they did best, shepherding sheep. That night everything changed for them, when they received an urgent message. Oh they did not receive a call on their cell phone, nor was this message delivered by their local police chief. This urgent message was neither one of despair nor devastation, it was a message of good news of great joy…
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:8-16
On this night, the angels came down from heaven to bring the urgent message that God’s Gift to mankind had arrived, and they would find that gift in the town of Bethlehem. Notice how they responded to this message… “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”
I can honestly say, when I receive the message from my police chief that I need to meet up with an officer to share a life changing message, I do not hesitate, I do not put it off, nor do I procrastinate. Like the shepherds, I too “hurry off” to share this urgent and life altering message.
This Christmas season, what better time to deliberately become a “shepherd” and share this message of Christmas with the same urgency. To become like a police chaplain and become singular in focus and go immediately to deliver life changing news. Not news that will devastate them, but news that will save them from eternal devastation! As Christians, there should be nothing in our lives that would keep us from sharing Jesus: “Best Gift Ever.”
If you have not experienced this gift, chances are you will not see the urgency of sharing this gift. If you have not yet accepted this gift, you can. Remember what the angels told the shepherds… “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.” Although this message was first given to the shepherds, this message is also for you. Jesus is the gift, all you need to do is accept it and it is yours…
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.
John 14:6
‘And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Acts 2:21
Don’t allow anything to obstruct your view of the real meaning of Christmas. If you miss seeing Jesus, you will miss the whole reason for this season.
In all the hustle and bustle of the season, please don’t miss this urgent message…
