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God’s birth announcement

Marilyn Schroeder

There was no time to send out birth announcements. And had there been, what would they have said? (“We’ve had a baby boy. His name is Jesus, Immanuel, Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”)

No. There were no baby pictures, no cards in the mail, no newspaper announcements and no phone calls. Then God the Father made His own announcement. Out blazed the light of His glory, and down came a mass choir of angels from every corner of heaven, pelting the darkened, lonely fields with their praises: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favour rests.”

Surely the glad recipients of this magnificent light-and-sound production were the media or friends or at least relatives? No. Only a few humble shepherds received God’s personal birth announcement – simple strangers whose names we will never know.

And yet they were men of vision and action. They understood the message and sprang to their feet to obey. Waking up that sleeping town of Bethlehem with the news of Messiah’s birth, they amazed everyone with their story. Convinced that the local grapevine was operational, the shepherds returned home glorifying and praising God. Person-to-person, the news crept on, changing lives forever as it spread. Today the truth marches on. Are you a faithful shepherd telling others the good news?

Marilyn Schroeder is a member of South Abbotsford MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C.

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Last modified December 6, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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