How we respond to life circumstances determines who we become.
An angel appeared to the shepherds the night Jesus was born. They responded first with fear. Then, upon hearing the good news, they responded with joy, joining a heavenly host singing praise to God. Without delay, the shepherds “hurried” to see Jesus and responded to his presence by telling everyone they knew about him. Their response of praise and testimony defined whom they had become, certainly more than the work they did for a living. The same is true of you and me.
Fast forward a couple of years and we find that not everyone responded with joy. In fact, bitterness and hatred filled the heart of the king who sought to slaughter thousands of babies in attempt to kill the future King Jesus. Fast forward again to the adult ministry of Jesus and we see that most of the people he witnessed to rejected him. He wasn’t the messiah they expected or wanted. Others recognized him as the Savior they needed and praised and followed him. On his arrival in Jerusalem, crowds praised him in the streets saying, “Hosannah in the highest.” Yet, shortly later many responded with jeers and accusations, shouting, “Crucify him!”
How we respond to truth determines who we become.
The same is true now. How should we respond to the celebration of baby Jesus? Should we coo and awe and wish to always keep him in the manger? Celebrate his birth, yes. Give praise for his coming, absolutely. But let’s respond also to The Lord Jesus with lasting praise, with thankful and obedient hearts, eager to follow him fully and tell others about him.
Respond with praise and find yourself becoming a person whose life is marked by praise. It’s one of the gifts of Christmas. Have fun unwrapping this gift every day!
