Now What?

Luke 2:17-20 (NLT) - After seeing Him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.  The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they  had heard and seen.

Christmas Day is behind us, but I keep thinking about Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.  They had some pretty big stories to tell, didn’t they?  Do you think Mary told anyone of her miraculous conception?  How many times did the shepherds recount the angelic extravaganza?  Did Mary and Joseph tell people step by step the way God had made this all come true? 

All were astonished.  Other translations say they wondered at, marveled about or were impressed by the story.  But do you think they believed?

Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  Yet Mary, Joseph and the shepherds had personally experienced the miraculous and knew it was true.  How did their lives change?  The shepherds continued to tend sheep.  Mary and Joseph changed cloth diapers and suffered from new parent exhaustion.  Yet they knew.  How did it change their lives?

Christmas Day is behind us.  Does that mean it’s all over?  How did you experience God’s love this year?  Have you allowed His gift to change your life?  Now what?