Go! Tell it on the Mountain!

And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15 NIV

I will bet that you have never heard the above verse read during a Christmas service. But what the shepherds did after going down to see baby Jesus in the manger, is exactly what this scripture is all about! Those shepherds didn’t need an evangelism course; they simply couldn’t wait to tell everyone that night in Bethlehem that “Jesus Christ is born!” This anonymous hymn sung in many African American churches during the middle 1800’s was eventually published and arranged by John Wesley Work Jr. in 1901. Though its words and melody are simple it is deservedly as well-loved as “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, written by another Wesley (Charles). I do hope you will enjoy listening to our precious residents singing along and that perhaps you will join in and “Go tell it on the mountain!”

Go Tell it on the Mountain!

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:9-10 KJV

While Thanksgiving weekend is a big date on most of our calendars, life at the nursing home stays pretty much the same. Sure, there is a big inflatable turkey behind me, and they served a special lunch yesterday, but few of the residents received visits from family members and fewer still have even been outside in months. But, just like those shepherds, who were overlooked by everyone else, God is sending them His message, that Jesus Christ has come down, right where we are. He came to give His life, so that we could have our sins forgiven and be restored to a loving relationship with our Father in Heaven. So, let’s “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!”