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Throughout this advent series, we’ve kept our focus on the traditional story of Jesus’ birth.

A newly-wed couple with a secret from God.

A couple, old in age, with a sturdy hope in His promises.

A tiny, unassuming town named as “the House of Bread” where sheep were raised before their slaughter.

A stable tucked away in obscurity.

A deep unknown and then a cry in the night.

A baby.

A star in the sky.

A pack of shepherds.

A caravan of magi.

Prophesy coming to pass.

Prayers answered.

God with us.

Hope alive.

This is the genesis of Jesus, just the beginning of what is to come as his life unfolds over the next 33 years. 

He grows up.

He spends time in the temple.

He learns the Torah– inside and out.

He steps into his God-given calling at the age of 30.

For 3 years, he walks and talks among all people.

He performs miracles.

He diagnoses pain.

He grapples with emotions.

He delivers the good news.

He flips the Kingdom on its head.

He welcomes anyone and everyone who is willing to say, “I believe.”

All the while, he knows the path set before him. 

He knows the very human ending to the story– the beating, the betrayal, the crucifixion, the burial. He knows this very human ending must take place for an eternal beginning to be handed to us in fullness.

The story of Advent, if I had to sum it up, would exist in three words: come and see.

That’s what God was inviting everyone into, no matter their circumstances or standing in society. He wanted everyone– the young and the old, the lost and forgotten, the excluded and the outcasted– to come and see what He was setting into motion.

But as we exit out of this season and close this book tomorrow, I want us to go out singing with three new words on our lips. A new commission. A great commission that came straight from the mouth of Jesus himself: “Go and tell.

You’ve come, and you’ve seen. You’ve marveled and you’ve sat in it all season long. Now it’s time to step into the mission. Take this good news– hold it with two hands– and extend it to everyone, leaving no one out. 

This good news is plentiful and never-ending. There is more than enough for everyone. Go and tell the world the good you’ve encountered through Me. This is My command to you.”

I cannot leave you with a guidebook for how to do that, but I will tell you this: I used to be so fearful about sharing the Gospel. I didn’t share my faith for a long, long time. I didn’t want to offend people. I didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.

But here’s what I’ve learned in age: you can simply share your story. You can tell people about the good in your life. You can report the miracles without stuffing a message down someone’s throat.

People are desperate for significance. And if you’ve found your fill in Jesus, then why not just say it like that? Why not just tell someone whenever you get that next chance: hey, I found something that changed my life. I can’t speak for your story, but I can tell you mine.

If God has been real in your life, then just say that.

Share your truth.

No frills are necessary.

No extra details need to apply.

Just share where you’ve seen God moving in your life.

Just tell them what you’ve found.

And let God cover the rest.

Reading

Mark 16:15

Steal This Prayer

Dear God, I want to be braver with my own story. Illuminate the parts that matter and help me to share them with people who need hope. Open the doors for me to go and tell the others of the grace I’ve found. I’ll share my truth and let you cover the rest.

I Love Hearing from You!

In moving my blog to a newer platform, I sadly had to let go of the thousands of comments and conversations that came from readers over the last 10+ years. This grieves me deeply but I know there will new conversations, fresh words of wisdom, and opportunities to create close community once again. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section. I’ll be reading + replying on a regular basis.