I’ve been thinking about the shepherds lately. Not just any shepherds, but the ones to whom the angels announced the good news of Jesus birth. I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord (Luke 2:10–11).
What did they do with that glorious, good news?
They went to find the child, to check out the sign that the angels had given them. We often see pictures of the shepherds sur-
rounding the baby and Mary and Joseph with looks of adoration in their eyes.
And then what happens?
As we read in Luke 2:17–18, When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. They told others about what they had seen and heard. They shared this message of hope for all people.
The fact that God came to earth in the form of a baby, Immanuel, God with us is indeed a message of hope for all people. Our world is in need of this word of hope more than ever. So why are we so reticent to share it? The Christmas hymn calls us to “Go tell it on the mountain” but we have a hard time talking about the good news of Jesus with our families, friends and neighbours.
I’d like to invite us to work on this together. I am calling our church into a year of evangelism for 2025. I was inspired to do this by our partner church in Peru who are doing the same emphasis next year. During my recent visit with the Iglesias Luterana del Perú (IL–P), I was fortunate enough to join them in a workshop on evangelism as they made plans for this next year.
Over this next year you can expect to hear some inspiring stories of people doing faith sharing. You can expect a bible study on evangelism. And you can expect some tips about how you might begin to share the good news of Jesus with those around you.
I know the word evangelism is scary to some and off-putting to others. But it is part of our call to be disciples, to follow Jesus. Let’s prepare to go and share some hope with a hurting world.
May the joy of the angels, the faith of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise ones be with you this Christmas and always. God bless you!
Rev. Susan Johnson
ELCIC National Bishop
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