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Ade, my five-year-old granddaughter arrived on my doorstep, lugging a large package behind her up the snow covered steps. A parcel had arrived for me and she was the acting Postman.
Of course, when I opened the door to receive the parcel, she also wanted to come in to watch me open it. I had ordered several Christmas gifts on-line, so I knew this big box would contain one of them. Having ordered something for Ade, just a day or two before though, I knew this was not one of them, so I told her, okay, she could come in.
She was very excited as I slit open the taped seal and began to unpack the treasure within. It was a gift for her younger sister Lindy. One which Ade, upon seeing it, now wished was for her. As we admired the present and talked about how happy Lindy would be on Christmas morning, I also warned Ade several times, that this was our secret and that she mustn't spoil the surprise by telling Lindy what was in the package she had just delivered to me. Ade very solemnly said that she would remember and keep our Christmas secret.
There is one Christmas secret however that none of us should keep. For the angels, themselves said on that first long-ago Christmas: "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." (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)
The greatest Christmas gift of all time, Jesus, Immanuel, God with Us, was and is not to be kept a secret. Rather this precious and indescribable gift is to be shared freely to all peoples in all nations at all times.
Something which the Shepherds took to heart as they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger, just as the angels had gone on to tell them. And "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 NIV
This Christmas may we all do just as the angels commanded and the Shepherds demonstrated. Whether it be through the Christmas cards we choose to send out, the spoken greetings we give to each other, or the way we decorate our homes. May each one of them proclaim Merry Christmas, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is born.
Prayer: Lord God, thank You that the greatest Christmas gift of all is not to be kept a secret, but to be shared worldwide. Guide and direct our hearts this Christmas to be like the Shepherds who spread the word concerning what they had been told to them about this child, Jesus. And may all who hear it, through the power of Your Holy Spirit be amazed at what is said to them. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, British Columbia, Canada
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