Follow The Star: An Invitation to Share Good News
Today's reflection is written by Naomi Metzger, ten times British champion in the triple jump and 2022 Commonwealth bronze medallist.
Introduction
When I was young I really had no idea I would become an athlete. I didn't play many sports as a child I had poor hand eye coordination and I dreamed of pursuing other things. However I gradually came to feel God wanted me to do sports for a bigger purpose.
But when training felt hard and competitions went badly I started to question if this was my purpose and wondered what God wanted me to do with my talent.
Then a few months ago I got a message from supporter. He said that watching me compete, and the small interactions we had, really helped him when he was in a really dark period of his life. It then dawned on me that one of my purposes for being an athlete wasn’t the medals of the titles, but spreading joy.
Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-16
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an Angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shown around them they were terrified. But the Angel said to them do not be afraid for see, I am bringing you Good News of great joy for all the people. To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you. You will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favours. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the Manger.
Reflection
The shepherds were the last people you'd expect to hear the good news directly from the angels. They were just ordinary folk doing their unglamorous work. When they became shepherds they would have thought their main purpose was to look after sheep and that was all. However, once they receive this news, they became a staple part in the biggest story ever, and they helped to spread the good news to everyone.
Sometimes we can all feel ordinary, or that we can't have much impact. But are seemingly small actions, such as checking up on a friend, helping a stranger in the shops, or even just smiling at someone, could have a profound and lasting effect, spreading joy to the world around us. Today, like the shepherds, let’s make haste to find simple, ordinary ways, to share the extraordinary joy of Christmas with others.
Invitation
Wherever you are today, with others or on your own, look for simple ordinary ways you can spread a little bit of the extraordinary joy of Christmas.
Pray
Lord, thank you for all you have given us.
Help us to share our gifts, our joy and our love with the world around us
Amen
God rest you, merry gentlemen
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