I thought I might do a little something, this year, that would help me focus on what this season is really about, and maybe it could help you, too. I’m going to take the story of Jesus’s birth, found in Luke 2, and go verse by verse, 1 through 24, to see what happens. Here we go…

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child… ~ Luke 2:17 NIV

We live in a world that “spreads the word” every single second of the day. Every media outlet is charged with that very thing; marketing, marketing, marketing. Facebook is a platform for spreading our own thoughts, our businesses, and even other people’s businesses, as we find products we love and tell the world about them.

I’ve done my own share of this. For instance, I’ve used a couple of things over the last year that I adore: Young Living essential oils and Norwex cloths/cleaning supplies. They have all done what they said they’d do, and I’ve been excited enough about it to spread the word. After all, other people could benefit from it, and who am I to keep it to myself?

Yet, many of us keep our faith quiet. We don’t want to step on anyone’s toes when it comes to talking about Christ, because, well, doesn’t that fall under the things you don’t talk about at dinner parties? “My religion is private,” we say. “We should keep that separate, because, you know, church and state.” Even those of us who wear our crosses loud and proud, and sport a chic fish sign on our bumpers, can fall silent when it comes to talking about the reason behind them.

You know why I think that is?

While those products bring benefit to others, it’s a benefit that will fix something that is not connected to their soul. People need Christ because they are sinners, and that right there is a whole different ball game. But, ladies and gentlemen, that’s a ball game that they need to win for their eternity’s sake.

If we know Christ, we know freedom. We know forgiveness and redemption. We know real, true LOVE. Why, in literal heaven’s name, are we not shouting that from the rooftops to a bound and shackled world?? We can tell people how to heal allergies naturally, but not how to heal their hearts? We can enthusiastically discuss the merits of cleaning our homes with just water, but not how to be washed as white as snow?

This is the season of giving gifts. Perhaps what we need to give most, can’t be wrapped and put under a tree. Perhaps, it just requires opening our mouths to spread The Word.

“Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all. ~ Mark 16:16 MSG