Declare, Rejoice, Boast, and Sing.
Have you ever had good news that you just could not keep to yourself? News that you had to share with someone that second? I have.
It was spring of my grade 12 year. I had applied to schools for my post-secondary education and was anxiously awaiting the responses. I had heard back from a couple schools but was still waiting on the response for my top school.
One day at the end of spare period right before my calculus class, I got the email saying, ‘Congratulations, you have been accepted into our program’. I couldn’t believe it, what I had worked so hard for and dreamt about finally became a reality. So much relief and excitement filled my body and I just could not hold it in. I told my friends that were around me, texted my parents, and told my grandma. Those around me were congratulating me and I was getting such encouraging texts from my loved ones. Yet, there was one other person who I could not wait to tell. As the bell rang for us to go to calculus, but I went the opposite direction and headed straight to tell one other person.
I was on my way to my see my science teacher, someone I was very close with and who had invested deeply in me inside and outside the classroom. She had believed in me from the day she met as a little grade 9 student and had always pushed me to do my absolute best. As I was walking into her class, I could not believe the good news I was about to tell her and was so excited to see her response.
In the Bible there was also a group of people who could not keep some good news to themselves…
“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
Luke 2:17-18
Ok, let’s set the stage for what has happened…
– A group of lowly shepherds were out in the field watching their sheep on what they thought was a regular night, when all of the sudden they were told the most amazing news in history. A Saviour was born, the Messiah, Christ the Lord.
– They went to see this amazing child, and what was their response after? They spread the word about this child.
– They could not keep this great gift to themselves, the shepherds could not hold in this light, but they shared it to those around them.
– All who heard it were astounded, full of absolute amazement, wonder, and awe.
Pause and just think about that, the shepherds proclaiming this good news to absolutely everyone and anyone. Think about them spreading this hope, this love, and this peace to all.
Now like the shepherds, as Christians, we have access to this same gift. And also like the shepherds we have the opportunity to share this gift with anyone and everyone.
Now trust me, I am aware of this thing called the pandemic and that this season has been a rough one for everyone. I think that this is the time to amplify our voices. Now is when we need to share this gift and this hope more than ever.
I currently am doing online school, and my life can get pretty boxed in. I am challenged to see how God is miraculously working around me. Are you challenged by that too? Stop and ask yourself, “How God is moving around me? How am I blessed?” This can be small blessings or massive ones. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to how He is moving, because I promise He is working, even if you don’t feel it.
I also want to challenge you to share this gift with those around you. Once you see it, proclaim His name from the rooftops, so that everybody and anybody can experience this gift also. Like the shepherds, those around you will wonder about what you are sharing. They will notice this gift and light that you have.
I want to leave you with a Psalm that has been a comfort to me recently.
“I will thank the Lord with all my heart;
I will declare your wondrous works.
I will rejoice and boast about you;
I will sing about your name, Most High.”
Psalm 9:1-2
Remember, to declare, to rejoice, to boast, and to sing, about all that Christ has done for you in every season.