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A Message to Share
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”
Luke 2:15–17
John Wesley Work, Jr. led the Fisk Jubilee Singers from 1898 to 1904. During that time they traveled across the country bringing their music, including many of the spirituals from the days of slavery to those who had never heard them before. Work was responsible for writing down the melodies for many of these songs which had only existed orally before. A number of them were published in hymnals, including what was originally called the “Plantation Christmas Song.” Work’s son recalled how early Christmas morning, before the sun came up, the students would go from building to building on campus singing what we know now as “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds were the first to share the message of the birth of Jesus with the world, but the task that they started is still vitally important in our day. The world is in darkness, and they will only know that the Light has come if someone shares the Good News with them. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). Every believer has the privilege and responsibility of telling others about Jesus.
Luke 2:15–17
John Wesley Work, Jr. led the Fisk Jubilee Singers from 1898 to 1904. During that time they traveled across the country bringing their music, including many of the spirituals from the days of slavery to those who had never heard them before. Work was responsible for writing down the melodies for many of these songs which had only existed orally before. A number of them were published in hymnals, including what was originally called the “Plantation Christmas Song.” Work’s son recalled how early Christmas morning, before the sun came up, the students would go from building to building on campus singing what we know now as “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds were the first to share the message of the birth of Jesus with the world, but the task that they started is still vitally important in our day. The world is in darkness, and they will only know that the Light has come if someone shares the Good News with them. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). Every believer has the privilege and responsibility of telling others about Jesus.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The message and hope of Christmas is too powerful and important not to share with others.
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