The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:15-20, “And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’

16 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger.

17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”

What would you do if angels suddenly physically appeared to you and scared you out of your wits? The tendency might be to run and hide somewhere. But shepherds in New Testament times were used to preditors coming after their sheep, so they had developed courage to stand and protect what they were guarding. The more battles we face in life, the stronger we become in facing and defending them.

What is strange here is that the angelic message so superseded everything, that the shepherds all left the sheep they were tending and rushed into Bethlehem to find the Baby of whom the angels spoke. Some things are more important than others, and it’s imperative that we assess what is truly important and seel it.

Every day we face decisions. We have only so much time that we have to decide what things are more important and attend to them. How do you spend your time? What do you read? and how much? Are you more concerned for truth or frivolous things? What you seek is what is most important to you. Think about it.

The old addage, “Seeing is believing” relates well to those shepherds. What the angel had said was indeed true; so the shepherds told everyone they saw about all that had happened –especially, about the Child — who He was and how He had miraculously been born without and earthly father! Never before in human history had such a phenomenal event occurred! The shepherds established a pattern for all who have heard of this Child. We are responsible to share Him and His message with everyone!

Important in this passage is the use of the word “baby” –brephos! I will remind you of this when we come to the Magi (wise men) and their discovery of the Child.

Mothers –true mothers—think deeply about events in their lives. They notice and retain thoughts about their children that fathers often miss. Mary was no different. She pondered and mulled over everything that had happened, and no doubt speculated about the future of her Child and what He would eventually become.

Mothers are the key to their childrens’ learning and guidance –factors that will influence their ultimate behavior.

The shepherds spread the word about this newborn Child, but they returned to their responsibilities with their sheep. Not everyone who comes to experience Jesus needs to become a preacher or a missionary. He simply needs to share the story of salvation with others. The LORD has placed each of us in workplaces where we touch the lives that pastors and full-time Christian workers could never reach. Thus, we become His spokesmen in those areas of life. Our lives, our conversation, our humor display love and concern for others, and they attract others as “different.” That’s the first step in witnessing, just being Christ-like! Examine your life, your interests, your time, your conversations, your concerns. Just remember: “Missions is a word. It can mean across the oceans of the world or across the street from where you live.”

We love and pray for you daily,

Nana & Dado III

P. S. Rose Marie has received another unit of blood and is recovering nicely. We would deeply appreciate

your remembrance of her in your prayers. Her hospital rooms have become her places of witness.

And while we pray earnestly for her recovery, we rejoice in the opportunities He has given us to share

Jesus with doctors, nurses, cleaning women, and all who enter her space. Amen!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”