2023 Advent Devotional -Luke 2:17-21 (Day 25)

Luke 2:17 - 21 “And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Wonderment!  These verses drip with people wondering about what just happened, wondering about what they were just told. After all, the shepherds had an amazing experience in which they heard an angel tell them that the Savior, Christ the Lord was born on this day and a host of angels saying “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom he’s pleased.” So it makes sense that they would tell all those that they came in touch with what they had experienced, what they heard. It reminds me of what Peter and John said in Acts 4, v. 20, “ For we cannot speak of what we have seen and heard.” I love the simplicity of the lesson that we can learn from the Shepards. We don’t need to be bible scholars to cause people to wonder about Christ, we simply need to share how we have seen and experienced God in our own lives. No once can refute your life story. Romans 10: 17 says, “So faith comes from what is heard and, and what is heard by the sharing/preaching /Word of Christ.”

This is a great time to pause and think about how God has been in your life. What are the cool things that you have experienced and seen, from the big things to the very subtle things. Spend some time pondering events that have occurred in your life, and take the perspective of time to see how God has used those events for his glory. Prepare in your mind your story and be ready to share and cause wonderment! Pray for those opportunities to share. Remember, Romans 10:14 “How are they to believe in him of whom the have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone telling them. And how can they share unless they are sent.”

Jesus – Here am I send me send me.  Send me to cause wonderment for your kingdom. Amen  - By Will Kiehl