Photo by Timon Studler on Unsplash

Over the Christmas holidays, I had the opportunity to watch two episodes of The Chosen on the Christmas theme. ‘The Messengers’ and ‘The Shepherd’ powerfully tell the story of Christmas through film.

I was particularly struck by one thing that carried through both episodes. Multiple characters often say to one another, “People must know.” Upon visiting Jesus in the manger in the hours after his birth, the shepherds left triumphantly, saying, “People must know.” Mary shared her story with the gospel writer Luke because “people must know.”

May we pray for this daily personal encounter with Jesus in our own lives so that we can make Him known to those with whom we live, work and associate on a regular basis.    

Only when we know Jesus can we then make Him known.

So as we begin this new year and celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates Christ being revealed to the nations, I hope that each of us can make this line, “People must know,” a central mantra of our lives. Having known and experienced Jesus ourselves, may we work with zeal and enthusiasm to ensure He is known by others. 

In a world that is hurting and broken. In a time marked by darkness and war. Among people who are lost and confused. Jesus comes.

And we have a responsibility to make His light known. 

People must know.

They must know of His personal love and unending forgiveness. They must know of His offer of abundant life and invitation to freedom. They must know of His life, death and resurrection. 

In one of his weekly audiences, Pope Benedict XVI once shared, “We are not the heralds of an idea, but the witnesses of a person.”

Let’s commit to making the amazing and life-changing story of Jesus known!

Making Jesus known is not just an option. Nor is it just a task reserved for the religious elite, priests, missionaries, or anyone but me! All Christians, everywhere, are tasked with the job of making Jesus known.

This year, may the name of Jesus and the story of His life be often found on our lips and in our hearts. May His gospel influence our daily lives and interactions so that many people come to know Him. 

Patrick is a beloved son of the Father who desires to use his gifts to build up the Kingdom of God. You can read more of his writing on his blog.