If we’re ever told something that seems amazing, or just too difficult to believe, and we’re presented the opportunity to go forth, see for ourselves and check it out, then we would avail ourselves of the opportunity. We wouldn’t sit back on the couch of our lives, let something amazing – some amazing event – pass us by if we had the chance to see the results firsthand. Only someone who lacks good sense and curiosity would allow the great event to pass by without a firsthand visual. The shepherds were told of an amazing event; the birth of a child who was born to change the world for the better. Actually, for the best. Adam & Eve did their rotten duty in the Garden of Paradise, turning the perfection of Paradise into a rundown building on Cambridge St in Worcester. Or some other street I don’t mean to pick on. Some time later, after we were lost in space somewhere, along comes the second Adam to overturn the bad choice of the first Adam. When the second Adam – Jesus – was born, the event did not remain silent. The great event in the silence of the night became the talk of the day among the shepherds, the first to be told of the great event. And what was their reaction when hearing the news of the birth of Jesus from none other than angels in heaven? They got off their couches, left the bag of Doritos in the corner of the sofa, and went to see firsthand the facts about this great event. Sit back they did not. Their curiosity got the best of them. And then the shepherds did something that continues to address our lives and the lives of everyone touched by the great event of Christmas; they spoke about it to each other. They talked about Jesus. They shared conversation about his Mother, and likely Joseph too. They talked about the great event of salvation being born. They talked about God-is-with-us, Emmanuel. They stopped talking about the sheep they were tending, and the many hours of overtime they worked, and how things were at home, and how the family was doing, and news of the local sports team. They put aside all the talk of their routine daily life events, and replaced with talk about the great event. They spoke about the things of God. And how God has favored us in a way that is truly far beyond comprehension that any one person or group of smart people could ever expect as a favor. There are still numerous folks who find it too incredible to believe that God did this for us. All the secondary chatter was placed aside by the shepherds, and these lowly, simple peasant workers had the wisdom and goodness to bring to the forefront the great event they had witnessed firsthand. I guess the closest we’ll get today to witnessing this great event of Jesus’ birth firsthand is twofold; to look at the stable here and meditate for a bit, or, to see a parent lovingly hold their newborn child with the greatest love and care. Although we are the shepherds of today, the shepherds of yore were blessed to see the great event firsthand, in person. However, their reaction going forth from the stable and speaking of the great event; that has not changed. Nor can it change in a world that needs our Messiah ever more. Any Christian who does not talk about Jesus Christ in their lives is a Christian who speaks way too much about the daily events in their little world, and not nearly enough about the great things God has done for us. Do not be that Christian. Follow the lives of the simple shepherds who were invited to get off their couches and witness something amazing. Something beyond human comprehension. An event that reveals the depth of God’s love for us. Get off your couch – if you’re sitting on it - and make Jesus part of your daily conversation, replacing some of the useless chatter. Bring this great event we celebrate today front and center to our lives. To do this means we will overcome all the political correctness and religious-shutdown running rampant in our culture. Be brave and wise as a shepherd, let Christ be your light, and part of our every day conversation, in imitation of the shepherds. That’s what a good shepherd does. Merry Christmas.