Go Tell it on the Mountain

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations”  – Matthew 28:18-19a

We read of the shepherds and wise men coming from miles away to kneel before the Christ child, born to Mary and Joseph the glorious night in Bethlehem.  We’re not told what happens after their visit.  We don’t have CNN interviewing the shepherds as they walk away from the manger scene, or the BBC live interview with the kings as they traveled across distant lands back to their homes.  I can only imagine what their expression of faith must have looked like as they came upon fellow travelers upon their routes in the following days after their visits.

I can envision shepherds leaving through the countryside, filled with the excitement of seeing the King of all Kings lying in a manger.  The questions on their minds had to center around, how is this baby going to save the world?  When would he become the King and help them fight the oppression of the Roman government?  Why did God bring angels to tell them of this glorious event, what should they now do with this knowledge?  Walking along the paths over the hills of Bethlehem and through the pastures they wouldn’t have been able to help themselves from telling other shepherds or those passing by of the events they had witnessed.  Sitting around campfires for the next year or more this story was bound to be told from one to another to another.  “Remember that night when the host of angels came and told of the baby Jesus being born in Bethlehem.  It must have been the Messiah, otherwise why would the angels have come to us?”  For years their story would be told and retold, passed on from generation to generation until it was captured in Luke’s gospel.

Kings from faraway lands had come to give gifts to the Christ child.  Their journey took significant time as they traveled over treacherous mountain paths, across deserts and through villages in their caravan.  The star of Bethlehem had guided them directly to the location of the baby.  Upon finding the young child they worshiped him as their King, and brought gifts.  After being witness to the Messiah, the chosen King of all Kings, they would leave along a different path from which they came.  As they traveled the long journey to their homeland, they would have the respect and honor of those they came in contact with.  Their story would be one of the miracles of God the Father, the glory of the new born Messiah and the salvation of all mankind. 

The shepherds and the wise men became the first evangelists of Jesus Christ to the world.  Through their travels how could they not have told all that they met of the wonders that had been revealed to them that first Christmas.  But that is only where the story begins.  It started in Bethlehem and continued for the next 33 years to be revealed through Christ’s death and resurrection. From that moment on we are all instructed to take the message to the world and share of His righteousness just like they did after His birth.  

Go tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere,

Go tell it on the mountain,

Our Jesus Christ is born.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Thank You for delivering us through His death and resurrection. Help us to be evangelists to all we meet and to share Your message of love, grace and mercy with all mankind, just as the shepherds and wise men did after that first Christmas morning.  In Your name we pray. Amen