Everyone likes a good story. How many times can you tell the same story? The answer lies in the eyes and ears and minds of children. Have you noticed that when you tell a child a story they want to hear that same story again and again? Their eyes widen, their mouths break into an expectant grin, their faces shine with joy. They already know what they want to hear and they’ll tell you. They want to hear what they already know. Sometimes they look at the pictures as you read the story. Sometimes their lips move as you retell the story. Sometimes they even join in at their favorite parts. How many times can you tell the same story? A million times, because the beauty of the story is its familiarity. You know how it begins and how it grabs your attention, you know the drama, the plot, the hero and heroine, and you know the end—it’s a happy one. Children like to hear the story because they know the story – the beginning, middle and end are a joy. And they like hearing the story enough times to memorize it, and then tell it to someone else – a relative, a playmate, an imaginary friend. They want to pass it on.

        Adults really aren’t so different. Think about it. When you hear a good story or a good joke don’t you want to pass it on? Don’t you tell someone the next chance you get? That’s exactly what God wants you to do. God wants everyone to tell a story, his story, the gospel story, the good news.

        Five days ago, we observed the birthday of baby Jesus.  His birth was the culmination of a promise given 20 centuries ago. God became a human baby, born for one reason -- to save us from our sins. Born to live as a perfect example for us to follow, born to die as a fulfillment of God’s love that will last through eternity. Born to be the way to reconcile humanity with God. A sweet little baby with a huge mission: Emmanuel, God with us, King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Baby God in a manger because the hotel was full–no room at the Holiday Inn. Surrounded by animals, protected by angels who announced his birth with stars and singing.  What a story!  One worth telling again and again.

        Today, we Christians are challenged to find new excitement and new revelations in the old story. The gospel, the good news for all ages, is that Jesus Christ is born. His followers should tell it – in the lines as we return Christmas gifts. As we wait to see movies at the theater. As we select food for our families in the supermarket. As we sit in the chairs of beauty and barbershops. As we study in the library or dorm room. Go tell it – in parking lots, car washes, video stores, to co-workers and classmates we see everyday, year-end and year-out and discuss every topic under the sun -- tell him, tell her. The neighbors we see at the places where we perform our volunteer service. Tell the story.

        Today’s hymn says, “Go, Tell it on the Mountain.” But we don’t have to go and find a mountain. For many of us, the places we frequent and our circumstances are our mountains. Telling someone that Jesus Christ is born is our purpose. It’s the church’s mission, to tell the story. Ah, but you may say, “People out there aren’t like children. They don’t want to hear the story.” How do you know? Many have never heard it, not even once. We live in an age where religion is out of style. Many people can’t return to church because they’ve never been. They haven’t rejected the gospel, they’ve never heard it! Many have never been to Sunday school or worship or Bible study. They need to hear the good news of God’s salvation.

        In today’s sermon text, Jesus is telling his followers – the 12 disciples and the larger group of women and men who accompanied Jesus on his journey of teaching and preaching about God. Here he’s telling them about how the world will end. He tells them that times will be difficult and that those who do not betray him, those who do not lose their faith in God, will be saved. In verse 14 he tells them that while they are waiting for the end they are to be about God’s mission. They are to be doing just what he has been doing – telling the news of God’s love, “proclaiming it throughout the world.” And then, after the gospel has been spread everywhere, then, and only then, shall the end come.

        Jesus’ message is clear: the church, his followers are not to be passively waiting for Christ to return. The time waiting for Christ’s return is to be spent in the mission of living and talking about the kingdom of God. Christians actually help to bring the kingdom closer when we do this. The gospel story is very positive. It’s one of love. It’s to let people know that there is another way. It’s about an alternate kingdom brought about in the life of Jesus and continued by his disciples – today that includes you and me. They won’t hear the story anywhere else. Many will never even hear it at home. All they will hear is that Christmas is about toys and presents and food and gift cards. They will hear about Jesus here at church and from each one of us – wherever we are, whenever we get enough nerve to smile and say, “Hi, I was wondering, are you a Christian? I am. I don’t want anything. I just want you to know that Jesus loves you and so do I. Have a nice day.” (That took about 10 seconds.) One of the problems is that we Christians don’t tell our story. And if we don’t tell our story, no one will. It’s our mission.

        It’s good to live the gospel. But to people who don’t know God, they just think you’re a nice person. They don’t know that you’re a Christian. They can’t look at you and tell because they don’t have the eyes of faith. They need to hear how Jesus makes a difference in your life. And they’ll never know if you don’t tell them. Try it. Then invite them to church if they don’t attend elsewhere. Promise to meet them in the narthex so they won’t have to walk in alone. Better yet, offer to pick them up Show them the love of Christ, and tell them that God loves them, and so do we. Do your part to bring about the kingdom... and then the end will come. Amen.