Gò0dNews for Everyone
Understanding The Assignment
K
by Sandra Gilmore
en’s voice bellowed across the downtown square
overlooked connections to this sacred event and wind our way
where passers-by scurried to appointments or
back to Christmas.
meetings. Standing on the rim of the square’s
A message came from Heaven with Good News!
fountain, his rich baritone voice conveyed the Good News
A savior was born. Simeon spoke of this savior as the
message with an upbeat urgency. He cared about his
“refreshing of Israel,” also translated as the “encourager
fellow citizens. Whether they agreed or not, they knew his
of Israel.” What a magnificent message! In the Christmas
intentions were warm and sincere. He was often dutifully
context, we see two different missions for this message.
poised at this strategic spot during lunchtime sharing the Good News with resounding clarity.
The shepherds couldn’t contain their amazement and excitement about this Good News. They told everyone in the area about the gift from Heaven! The term in the original language means to “publish abroad, make known thoroughly.” It’s the only time in the New Testament that verb phrase is used. What they did was unique and singled out in Scripture! Comparatively, Mary “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” The verb meaning “ponder” in the original language includes our concept of “huddling.” It carries the idea of a gathering of ideas or facts from various sources. She conferred with herself about all that was happening. The term “kept” in the original language means to “preserve a thing from perishing or being lost.” Did she ever tell? Scholars say it was Mary
At the corner coffee shop, Kim’s gaze alternated from
who shared enough details for Luke to write his gospel
her laptop screen to Ken’s perch. She soaked in the exchange
book, written as a letter to Theophilus. Letters were the
between Ken and his bustling audience. Some truly ignored
forerunners of our social media. The letters traveled around
him. Some broke their stride to listen intently, however
a good bit.
short their attention span. Some waved to him as they
Are you a broadcaster given to speeches, sermons,
scurried along. She wondered if her online readers had
or lectures? Or do you prefer blogs, emails, or posts?
similar responses.
It’s the Good News that’s at the heart of the message, no
Which communicator are you more like, Ken or Kim?
matter how it’s delivered. Whether vocalizing from the
Do you literally voice your message with preaching or
town square, or huddling with a few friends, we all can
teaching? Or do you prefer quiet methods like articles or
understand the assignment: to know Jesus and to make
conversations over coffee? Which is better or more effective?
Him known!
We can take some lessons from the shepherds and following this series? Check each month as we explore often-
34 // July 2022
About The Author
from Mary way back at Christmastime. Have you been
Sandra Gilmore serves the Lord as wife, mom, and encourager, mostly through writing and speaking, occasionally through cooking, rarely through anything athletic and only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. You can reach her by email: tandsgilmore@yahoo.com or her website: www.sandragilmore.org
