So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby as he lay in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.

Luke 2:16-17

The shepherds, having been the first to hear the "good news that will cause great joy", offer a powerful model for our post-Christmas life. Their immediate response after encountering Christ was a blend of two seemingly contradictory actions: an unhurried, profound encounter followed by a joyful, unhurried urgency to share. The scripture notes that after seeing the baby, they "spread the word concerning what had been told them". The result of encountering Christ’s quiet presence should be an immediate, joyful urgency to share the good news with others.

The previous 25 days have focused on slowing down, embracing silence, and finding peace in Christ’s unhurried presence. Now, having witnessed the fulfillment of the promise, the natural outpouring is a testimony. For the shepherds, a group often seen as outsiders and "unworthy", this act of sharing their experience was their most significant offering. It was an unhurried testimony, not frantic or rehearsed, but a simple, joyful retelling of what they had seen and heard.

For us, the day after Christmas often marks a return to the "real world" and a re-acceleration of our pace. The challenge is to carry the quiet peace of the manger into our busy, loud, and demanding reality. We must avoid the mistake of isolating our spiritual life to a season and neglecting the call to share the enduring light that has arrived. The unhurried heart is not a silent heart; it is one so filled with gratitude and wonder over the truth of the Incarnation that it simply must share. Their testimony was the natural, unburdened overflow of their encounter.

Tell one person today (a family member, friend, or coworker) what the Christmas story truly means to you personally.

Questions for Reflection

1. The shepherds' action was an immediate, unburdened overflow of their encounter. Who is one person in your life you can share your personal testimony of what Christ means to you this season?

2. What is holding you back from having a joyful urgency to share the good news—is it fear, awkwardness, or simply a lack of focus on the gospel's true meaning?

3. How can you ensure the quiet presence you experienced during Advent leads to a sustained, unhurried commitment to sharing the enduring light of Christ in the coming year?