Ade, my five-year-old granddaughter, arrived on my doorstep lugging a large package behind her up the snow-covered steps. A parcel had arrived for me, and she was the acting postman.

Of course, when I opened the door to receive the parcel, she also wanted to come in to watch me open it. I had ordered several Christmas gifts online, so I knew that this big box would contain one of them. Having ordered something for Ade just a day or two before, though, I knew that this was not one of them, so I told her, "Okay, you can come in."

She was very excited as I slit open the taped seal and began to unpack the treasure within. It was a gift for her younger sister, Lindy, one which Ade, upon seeing it, now wished was for her. As we admired the present and talked about how happy Lindy would be on Christmas morning, I also warned Ade several times that this was our secret and that she mustn't spoil the surprise by telling Lindy what was in the package that she had just delivered to me. Ade very solemnly said that she would remember and keep our Christmas secret.

There is one Christmas secret, however, that none of us should keep. For the angels themselves said on that first long-ago Christmas, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10b-11 NIV)

The greatest Christmas gift of all time, Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, was — and is — not to be kept a secret. Rather, this precious and indescribable gift is to be shared freely to all peoples in all nations at all times.

That was something that the shepherds took to heart as they hurried off and found Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus, Who was lying in a manger, just as the angels had gone on to tell them. "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." (Luke 2:17-18 NIV)

This Christmas, may we all follow the example that the shepherds demonstrated. Whether it be through the Christmas cards that we choose to send out, or the spoken greetings that we give to each other, or the way that we decorate our homes, may each one of us proclaim, "Merry Christmas! — Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, is born."

Prayer: Lord God, thank You that the greatest Christmas gift of all is not to be kept a secret, but to be shared worldwide. Guide and direct our hearts this Christmas to be like the shepherds who spread the word concerning what they had been told about this Child, Jesus. May all who hear it, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, be amazed at what is said to them. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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