Where are the Shepherds?

Oh so the Christmas drama in my world continues. I pulled out the little people nativity for my kids to play with. I love it b/c of the story it tells, but I am thinking this year of pulling out the batteries. There are only so many times I can here the Little People's rendition of Away in a Manger. Besides, I have a newborn, and I am not convinced that there is "no crying he makes." I digress though...so I pull it out only to find no shepherds. Well, there is no I in Smith on the mantle either so it's about par for the course. I mention it to J. "There are no shepherds." To which I get the reply, "they're probably up in the game room." Good luck finding them. I really need to wade through and donate some toys. The nativity went up anyway without the shepherds. I think we both assumed that the kids wouldn't notice. What were we thinking?

The VERY first thing out of Grayson's mouth the next morning, "Mommy, where are the shepherds?'

God was very gracious to me that morning, as I am not a morning person and have little patience when I am not awake. I started to mutter something about they were hiding upstairs when SCRIPTURE came to mind. We had just read the Christmas story the day before. I said, "Grayson, remember in the story that the shepherds went to worship Jesus and then they left telling everyone the good news?" They were telling others about Jesus. (For reference, see Luke 2:17 - 18NIV When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.") So, of course the shepherds are not there, they are out telling others about what the Angels had said and about the baby. Granted if you do the course of logic with toys or have watched Toy Story one too many times, the shepherds are up in the game room telling other toys about Jesus, but I got the point across nonetheless.

Then I asked him the question (to which I have yet to get an answer), who do we need to tell about Jesus? I am asking myself the same question. Obviously one that I need to get an answer to as my Proverbs 31 email this morning was all about telling others about Jesus. When the Lord repeats things, it's time to listen up. Oh how I am like my kids and need the Lord to tell me multiple times what to do. I am just glad He doesn't say to me, "How many times do I have to tell you?"

My second challenge for the season is, "who do I need to be telling that Jesus came?" I need to be like the shepherds spreading the word.