The shepherds were met by a whole host of angels - what a terrifying and exciting experience! What would be your first instinct? Run away? Faint? Join in the worship?

The shepherds were not at the centre of society; they were outsiders, on the fringes, just going about their work. No one else would have thought to share important news with them but, here, we see they were valued by God. He chose to share the good news with them. Their reaction is so immediate, so compelling. They go to Bethlehem to see Jesus and when they return, they are in awe, called to worship and share all that they had seen and heard.

There are many things that hold us back from sharing the Good news of Jesus. Remember that first time you encountered Him; perhaps you immediately wanted to share what you had experienced. But the pressures and judgement from those around us can fill us with fear, quietening our response. For Christians in the MENA region, sharing the Gospel can be incredibly challenging and even illegal in some places. They risk being ostracised from their families and communities; arrest and imprisonment; violence and even death.

Nevertheless, God calls us, as He did the shepherds, to share His Son Jesus with the world. This season, ask God to help you become like the shepherds. Praise Him, glorify Him, and share all that He has done for you.