We gathered around the fireplace for our evening devotional together as a family. Grant read about the shepherds spreading the news of Jesus’ birth found in Luke 2:17-18. 

The shepherds had encountered the Lord and were so full of joy that they couldn’t help but share with others. They had personally met the Lord and their lives were forever changed. Grant then asked the kids, “Do you have a personal relationship with the Lord?” Then he followed up with, “What does your personal relationship with the Lord look like on a daily basis?” The kids were a bit confused by the question at first. One answered, “I trust Him.” Patrick exclaimed, “I want to be a preacher when I grow up!” “That’s great Patrick,” but Grant probed deeper… “What I mean is, what does it look like daily for you?” The kids still were quiet. 

“Let me help you by sharing what it looks like in my daily life,” Grant went on. “My personal relationship with the Lord means that I read my Bible each day and I talk to the Lord. I ask Him to guide my steps and to keep me in fellowship with Him. I pray throughout the day asking for His help, confessing sin, and giving all my needs and desires to Him.” 

The lightbulb switched on! Now the kids understood. Soon the kids were going around talking about different ways they had a personal relationship with the Lord each day. “I ask God to help me listen in Bible class,” “I listen to the Action Bible” “I pray before my school assignments…” My heart filled with joy as I heard them share their personal stories not phrases they’d heard on what a Christian should do. 

During the Christmas season we can talk a lot about Christ and what He did for us. We talk about trusting Him and believing Him and living for Him. The amazing truth of the Incarnation is astounding. 

But just like the shepherds, before we can ever truly tell others about Christ in the way we should, we must encounter Him personally. It is then that our words hold meaning. We haven’t just heard about Him, we’ve seen Him. 

Let’s not let the busyness of December keep us from our personal encounter with Christ each day. 

Knowing the Lord should change everything and it gets at the heart of what the Christmas season is all about. Jesus didn’t just come to save others, He came to save you. 

And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:17-18

What does your personal relationship with the Lord look like for you on a daily basis? What will it look like for you today?