Read

Luke 1:39-2:40
Matthew 1:18-25

Luke 2:15-16, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”

Think

We’ve all had those “You’ll never guess who I ran into” moments. They make us shake our heads as we think how crazy it was to run into that person in that place! Surely, Mary and Joseph felt something similar as the shepherds, complete strangers, excitedly arrived on the scene. Picture this small group of weathered men asking to see Baby Jesus. Did Joseph instinctively wrap protective arms around his family? Was it awkward? What could they possibly have in common?

Of all the characters in the Bible, only a very small percentage received direct communication from God. We can only wonder if the shepherds, Mary, and Joseph compared notes about their own heavenly visions and visitations that so greatly encouraged their faith. What a conversation!

This goes to show that whenever we think, “What could we possibly have in common?” the answer is simple — Jesus! We never know when God is going to use us to encourage or inspire someone by sharing our story. Some of the most unlikely connections happen when we are willing to reach out to the people around us and invite them to experience Christ!

Pray

Dear Lord, Because I’ve received Your grace and the gift of salvation through Christ, I want to share it with others. Provide opportunities for me to invite the unlikeliest of guests and give me just the right words to say. In Jesus’ name, Amen.