4 minute read
TELL EV'RYONE WHAT HE HAS DONE
by Marvin Bublitz
When people endure a difficult situation, they react in different ways. Some become withdrawn and cocoon up, as it were. Others become bitter and lash out. Some learn from the experience and grow, better prepared for the next time. For some, it sets their life on a whole new trajectory. When a new, strange, or joyous event impacts the life of people, it too can change their trajectory.
Now, what if you heard the heavenly host singing praises to God and proclaiming the Messiah’s birth? That would no doubt change your perspective on many things. Each year we do hear that message, but, sadly, it can become all too familiar. The shock and wonder of it seems lost over time. We are moved more by the decorations and lights or carols of the season than the angel’s message.
Why? Why does the message get lost in the pomp of the decorations? Why does the impact of the Messiah’s birth take a backseat to our earthly celebrations? Well, since the Garden of Eden the ancient foe has done all he can to deny, disrupt, or distract the work of the Lord. It is no surprise he would work to do so at this time of year as well. After all, it’s not like we are in Bethlehem. We are not in the fields with the shepherds. We are not at the manger.
But imagine being a shepherd hearing the angels for the first time. Imagine seeing the heavenly host. Imagine hearing their wonderful message. Talk about an event that
would set your life on a new trajectory. That new path took them with haste to the manger. They heard the message of the Almighty and deeply desired to learn more. Oh, that more would have that desire today.
Once the moment has passed, then what? How would it affect those shepherds? Would they leave their flocks and run off to a monastery? How would it have affected you? Now what?
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them” (Luke 2:20).
They what? They went back to work? They went back to their vocation? I guess that maybe it didn’t have that big of an impact on them? If you think that, you would be wrong. The Word of God was spoken to them—and the Word of God never leaves us the same. For the shepherds, it meant they would glorify and praise God. It meant that “when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (Luke 2:17-18).
As shepherds, they would interact with different people than others might. Each one of you who have heard the same message have your own vocations as well. You interact with many different people than your pastor does. As you read of the account of Pentecost in Acts, consider
what happened when the people went back home. They had heard the apostles in their own language. The Word of the Lord had been spoken to them, and then they went home. They went back to their fields and farms, family and friends. They took the message they heard and told others.
The shepherds did not stay at the manger. The Pentecost Christians did not stay and hope for more tongues of fire. Likewise, each one of us hears the Word of God and then continues in our vocations. Then, as the Lord puts people in our paths, He gives us opportunity to share His Word with them.
Remember the Transfiguration of the Lord, when Peter wanted to set up three tents so that they could stay there, but that was not what the Lord intended for them? At times, when we enjoy a Christmas candlelight service, we bask in the music and desire it would never end. Yet we do not remain forever in our churches singing those wonderful carols. Like the shepherds, we return to our vocations, glorifying God and telling everyone what He has done.
Thank the Lord and sing His praise; Tell ev’ryone what He has done. Let all who seek the Lord rejoice And proudly bear His name. He recalls His promises And leads His people forth in joy With shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.
- LSB Post-Communion Canticle
