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b'Bookends are those supports that keep books from falling over on a shelf or\\ndesk. By way of analogy, there are two events that \\u201cbookend\\u201d the life of\\nJesus as recorded in the Gospel accounts of Luke and Matthew: two angelic\\nappearances, two unlikely recipients of the angel\\u2019s message, and two\\nresponses that teach us how to live in this Advent season.\\n.\\nAngels appeared to two unlikely sectors of society: shepherds at Jesus\\u2019s\\nbirth (Luke 2:8-20) and women at Jesus\\u2019s resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10). In\\nJesus\\u2019s time, shepherds were looked down upon in society. Similarly, women\\nwere not regarded as reliable witnesses in those days. However, God saw fit\\nto announce both the birth and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah\\nof Israel, to these marginalized people. Note the angel\\u2019s words to the\\nshepherds: \\u201cdon\\u2019t be afraid,\\u201d \\u201clook,\\u201d \\u201cgood news,\\u201d \\u201cgreat joy,\\u201d and \\u201cglory\\nto God.\\u201d And to the women: \\u201cdon\\u2019t be afraid,\\u201d \\u201ccome and see,\\u201d \\u201cgo\\u2026 and\\ntell.\\u201d\\n.\\nWhen the shepherds obeyed the directive to go and see the baby in the\\nmanger, they found it to be exactly as the angel had said. They left\\nworshiping God and telling others what they had seen and heard. And when\\nthe women left the tomb with \\u201cgreat joy\\u201d (Matthew 28:8) they met the risen\\nLord Jesus and worshiped Him. Their testimony was followed by the eleven\\ndisciples receiving the great commission for every Christian to go and make\\ndisciples of all nations (verses 16-20). These bookends give us some clear\\nexamples to follow when it comes to our relationship to the Lord this\\nChristmas season.\\n.\\nDon\\u2019t be afraid. Look to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior\\nof the world. Believe in Him, praise Him, and go with great joy to tell all\\nthat the Lord has made known to you. \\u2022 Cameron DeCou\\n.\\n\\u2022 Why do you think God chose unlikely messengers for these two essential\\nmoments in Jesus\\u2019s life? \\n.\\n\\u2022 What are some things God has done for you? How could you share these\\nthings with others? \\n.\\n\\u201cGo, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the\\nname of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to\\nobserve everything I [Jesus] have commanded you. And remember, I am with\\nyou always, to the end of the age.\\u201d Matthew 28:19-20 (CSB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nMatt.28.1-Matt.28.10|Matt.28.16-Matt.28.20'