December 19, Luke 2:16-20
By Randy Curless, Sports Crusaders Illinois Coordinator
It was Sunday, Oct. 16, at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Houston Astros were one out away from their first-ever trip to the World Series. There were men on first and second when Albert Pujols came to the plate. Brad Lidge, Houston's closer, was pitching. The first pitch was a slider in the dirt that Albert swung at and missed. The commentators said that since Albert was such a good fastball hitter, Brad ought to stay with his slider. I thought, "Just hang one of those."
The very next pitch, Brad "hung one" and Albert crushed it at least 450 feet for a three-run homer and the Cardinals ended up winning the game 5-4! I was giving the television screen high fives and was screaming and yelling! I was so excited and I wanted to let everyone know that the Cardinals had won!
The excitement I had that night I'm sure does not even compare to the excitement the shepherds had when they found Mary, Joseph and the baby — the Savior, Christ the Lord!
Verse 17 says, "They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child." Not only did they spread the word there in Bethlehem, but verse 20 says they returned "glorifying and praising God." I've got to believe that they spread the word about what they had seen and heard as much, if not more so, to the people back home. I'm sure they did not feel like they had to tell others, but they did so, wanting everyone to know.
So what's my point? My point is: Are we as excited to share Jesus like these shepherds did as we are to share an event like the Pujols' homerun? From this Christmas season on, I pray that each one of us will share Jesus with that kind of excitement!
