Author: Michelle Lesley

Servant of Christ, wife, mother, churchwoman, women's discipleship blogger, podcaster, and speaker.
Christmas

The Shepherds’ Gospel

Michelle Lesley

Originally published December 22, 2015

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:8-20

The Christmas story just wouldn’t be the same without the shepherds, would it? Just a bunch of blue collar guys out doing their jobs one night, when God stepped in and gave them a story they’d be telling for the rest of their lives. We don’t know their names or how many of them there were, but they’re more than just pieces of our nativity sets. They’re a picture of the gospel.

Just a bunch of blue collar guys out doing their jobs one night, when God stepped in and gave them a story they’d be telling for the rest of their lives.

Called Out of Darkness Into Light

The shepherds had no idea God would reveal His Son to them that night. They were just going about their lives, day in and day out, oblivious, until God intervened and brought them the good news of Christ. In a similar way, the Bible says that we walk through life day after day, dead in our trespasses and sins, until that glorious moment when God draws us to Himself, opens our eyes to the gospel, and makes us alive in Christ.

The Clean for the Unclean

The nature of the job put shepherds frequently in contact with the remains of dead animals and insects, rendering them often, if not nearly perpetually, ceremonially unclean according to Mosaic law. While unclean, they were separated from fellowship with God. They were not allowed to enter the temple to worship until they had offered a lamb to atone for their sin. And God chose these unclean men – guilty under the law – to be the first to meet His perfectly clean and spotless Lamb who would offer Himself to make the final atoning sacrifice for their sin, and ours. Through Christ, we are no longer separated from God by our sin and guilt.

God chose these unclean men – guilty under the law – to be the first to meet His perfectly clean and spotless Lamb who would offer Himself to make the final atoning sacrifice for their sin, and ours.

Given, Not Earned

Because the shepherds had no way of knowing Christ would suddenly be revealed to them, there was nothing they could do to prepare for His coming or make themselves worthy of Him. God met them right where they were – dirty, smelly, and lower class – and brought them to Christ. Not because they were good people or had earned this honor with commendable deeds, but for God’s own reasons and His own glory.

There’s nothing we can do to earn our salvation either. None of us are righteous, all of our so called “good deeds” are like filthy rags, and it’s impossible for us to please God in any way before coming to faith in Christ. Jesus meets us right where we are – dirty, smelly, and in the middle of our sin – and saves us. Not because we’re worthy, but for God’s own reasons and His own glory.

Faithful Messengers for God’s Glory

The angel knew God personally and faithfully declared His word to the shepherds for God’s glory. Those of us who know Christ must faithfully proclaim the gospel, from the Word of God, to others. Proclaiming the good news of Christ brings glory to God.

Hear, Believe, Respond

When the shepherds heard the message of Christ, they immediately believed it and responded by coming to Him. In the same way, when we hear the good news of the gospel, Christ calls us to repent of our sin, believe unto salvation, and follow Him.

Do Tell

Once the shepherds had met Christ face to face, they couldn’t keep it to themselves. With great joy, they went out and told others about Him. Some must have believed them. Others, perhaps not. But the news they spread made an impact on everyone who heard it. If only we would share the good news of Christ far and wide as the shepherds did! Some will believe. Some won’t. But God’s word always impacts people and accomplishes His purposes.

Once the shepherds had met Christ face to face, they couldn’t keep it to themselves. With great joy, they went out and told others about Him.

O Worship the King

How could the shepherds help but worship, praising and glorifying God, for all they had seen and heard and all God had done for them? And how can we, after all we have seen and heard from God’s Word, and all He has done for us, help but worship, praise, and glorify our King?

Just a crew of rag tag shepherds tending the sheep that would be sacrificed in the temple. But not for long. A new Shepherd had been born. The Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Christmas

Movie: Christmas Gone Viral

Michelle Lesley

Originally published November 28, 2017

One third of the world celebrates Christmas. That makes this the perfect time of year to carry out the Great Commission. What could be a more natural transition from chit chat to the gospel than talking about Christmas – the birth of Christ? Watch as Ray Comfort* and ordinary folks from all over the world share the good news of Jesus with those they encounter.

If you’re looking for other easy ways to share the gospel in the coming days, check out my article, 10 Ways to Share the Gospel During the Holidays. You can also order some awesome Christmas-themed tracts to tuck inside your Christmas cards or share as you’re shopping at Living Waters or Bezeugen.

*Yes, I’m aware that Ray Comfort is appearing at the Be Bold for Jesus 2026 Conference. It’s not very discerning of him, but right now he’s otherwise doctrinally sound, and so is this video from 2017. We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, but we do know he has discerning friends who have his ear. The conference is nearly a year away. Ray may decide not to speak. The problematic speakers may decide not to speak. Let’s be patient and prayerful.

Guest Posts

Guest Post: How to Keep the Holidays Happy, Holy, and Unharried

Michelle Lesley

If your theology pretty much matches up with mine (as outlined in my “Welcome” and “Statement of Faith” tabs in the blue menu bar at the top of this page) and you’d like to contribute a guest post, drop me an e-mail, and let’s chat about it.

How to Keep the Holidays
Happy, Holy, and Unharried
by Merry Usman 

The holiday season often sweeps in like a storm—twinkling lights, bustling preparations, and the pressure to create “perfect” celebrations. For Christian women, the challenge isn’t merely managing logistics; it’s guarding our hearts and homes so that Christ remains at the center amid the busyness.

As Reformed Southern Baptists, we recognize that every blessing and every moment is sovereignly given by God, and our celebration must reflect His glory and truth, not cultural expectations or worldly pressures.

1. Remember the Sovereignty of God in Your Celebrations
Scripture Foundation: Psalm 18:30 — “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.”

  • Start your season with intentional worship and Scripture reading
    • Dedicate time each day to read God’s Word, focusing on passages related to Christ’s birth.
    • Reflect on God’s sovereignty in orchestrating history to fulfill His promises.
  • Reflect on the Nativity story in its full biblical context
    • Study Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2 to see God’s sovereign plan unfold.
    • Meditate on the fulfillment of prophecies and the miraculous nature of Christ’s birth.
    • Remember the incarnation as the ultimate reason for celebrating.
  • Begin gatherings with prayer and thanksgiving
    • Open meals, gift exchanges, and family activities with prayer.
    • Express gratitude for God’s provision, protection, and presence throughout the year.
    • Invite family members to share what God has done in their lives as a testimony of His faithfulness.
  • Incorporate hymns or carols that glorify Christ
    • Select songs that emphasize Jesus’ birth, work, and glory rather than just holiday cheer.
    • Use music as a teaching tool to instill biblical truths in children and adults alike.
    • Encourage singing as a heartfelt act of worship, not just entertainment.
  • Turn ordinary tasks into acts of worship
    • Dedicate decorating, cooking, and gift-preparing to God, seeing them as service to Him.
    • Approach each task with gratitude and a desire to honor the Lord (Colossians 3:17).
    • Model for others that even simple, everyday activities can glorify God when done with the right heart.

2. Guard Your Heart and Mind

The holiday season is rife with stress—family tensions, financial pressures, and societal expectations. Proverbs 4:23 tells us: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Practical ways to guard your heart include:

  • Limiting overcommitment and choosing responsibilities that honor God.
  • Seeking quiet moments of devotion, prayer, and meditation on Scripture.
  • Remembering that your value is not in productivity but in being Christ’s faithful servant.

A heart aligned with God’s Word produces peace and joy, even amid chaos.

3. Lead Your Household in Biblical Womanhood

As women, we are called to model godly character and discipleship in our homes. Titus 2:3–5 exhorts older women to teach what is good, love their families, and live with discernment.

During the holidays, this leadership might include:

  • Modeling patience and forgiveness in family interactions.
  • Teaching children to honor Christ through worship, service, and gratitude.
  • Prioritizing God-centered traditions over worldly expectations.

True leadership is not about perfection—it is about obedience and faithfulness to God’s commands.

4. Practice Biblical Generosity

Acts 20:35 reminds us: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Holiday giving should reflect Christ’s love, not societal pressure:

  • Focus on thoughtful, heart-driven gifts rather than costly or extravagant items.
  • Serve others in your community through acts of charity.
  • Teach family members that true joy comes from giving in love and obedience to God.

By following God’s principles, generosity becomes a reflection of His grace rather than a source of stress.

5. Navigate Relationships with Grace and Discernment

Family dynamics can become tense during the holidays. Galatians 6:9 encourages perseverance: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Maintain grace and discernment:

  • Set healthy boundaries to preserve peace.
  • Avoid unnecessary conflicts and choose forgiveness over pride.
  • Pray for wisdom in interactions, trusting that God works even when circumstances are challenging.

By reflecting Christ’s character in our relationships, we create a spiritually nourishing environment for all.

6. Celebrate Mindfully, Rooted in Scripture

The holidays are not about spectacle—they are about celebrating the coming of our Savior. Mindful, Scripture-centered practices might include:

  • Advent reflections focused on Christ’s incarnation.
  • Family devotions that discuss God’s redemptive plan.
  • Teaching discernment, especially in avoiding false teachings and worldly messages around the season.

Mindfulness grounded in God’s Word ensures that celebrations nurture faith, not mere festivity.

7. Find Joy in Christ Alone

Philippians 4:4 commands: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Circumstances may not always align with our plans, but joy rooted in Christ is unshakable:

  • Rejoice in God’s sovereignty and providence.
  • Embrace small blessings as evidence of His care.
  • Model gratitude and worship even amid trials, demonstrating faith to your household.

Joy in Christ transforms ordinary celebrations into acts of worship.

Practical Steps for a Christ-Centered Holiday Season

  1. Begin each day with Scripture reading and prayer.
  2. Evaluate commitments: retain only what glorifies God.
  3. Center family traditions on Scripture and worship.
  4. Give generously with a heart focused on obedience.
  5. Practice grace and maintain discernment in relationships.
  6. Use the season to teach children biblical truths and discernment.
  7. Rejoice in Christ, trusting His sovereignty and care.

Closing Reflection

The holidays are not about perfection, prosperity, or worldly recognition—they are about proclaiming God’s glory and rejoicing in His mercy. By centering Christ, guarding your heart, and modeling biblical womanhood, Christian women can create celebrations that honor God, nurture their families, and reflect His eternal truth.

This season, let your light shine—not through outward displays, but through faithful obedience, joy in Christ, and discernment rooted in Scripture.

Merry Usman is a Christian marketing specialist and a devoted Christian writer who loves weaving stories that inspire faith, strengthen hearts, and shine the light of Jesus.

Christmas

Mary’s Blessing

Michelle Lesley

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1:26-31

Mary was just an average, godly young woman, probably in her teens. She had kept herself sexually pure, and she had submitted herself to what was, undoubtedly, her parents’ choice of a husband for her.

Twice in this passage, Gabriel tells Mary she is “favored” by God. This is the same Greek word translated as “blessed” in Ephesians 1:6:

In love, He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:6

God blesses us by bestowing His grace upon us to bring us to the Savior, Jesus – for His own reasons, not based on any merit of our own. And God blessed, graced, and favored Mary to bring the Savior, Jesus, to her. For His own reasons, not based on any merit of her own.

God blessed, graced, and favored Mary to bring the Savior, Jesus, to her. For His own reasons, not based on any merit of her own.

And as incomprehensible to Mary as this news was, her response was not, “No, this can’t be,” but, “How will this be?”. Like Elizabeth before her, Mary believed God. 

Like Elizabeth before her, Mary believed God. 

But even as she believed God’s word to her, she must have had a million fears and questions: Would Joseph believe her? Would her parents believe her? Would anyone believe her? 

In that time, Old Testament law demanded that women be stoned to death for adultery, and for the average Israelite to believe a far fetched story -from a woman, no less- about her child being conceived by the Holy Spirit, well, that must have seemed about as likely to Mary as the virgin birth itself.

Maybe she feared for her life and her safety, but Mary still believed what God said and submitted herself completely to Him: “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

“I am Your slave, Lord. I’m at Your mercy, to do with as You will. Do whatever You want with me, to me, in me, and through me.” This should always be the prayer of every godly woman.

Next, God sends Mary to visit Elizabeth. 

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Luke 1:41-45

In addition to finding a safe place to hide out from those who might seek to put her to death, Mary needed some good, old fashioned Titus 2 discipleship from a godly older woman. And just look at Elizabeth’s godliness!

Mary needed some good, old fashioned Titus 2 discipleship from a godly older woman. And just look at Elizabeth’s godliness!

Elizabeth could have been jealous of Mary. She could have bitterly rehashed all those years begging God for a child, and here, God just showed up and gave Mary a child without her even asking! And not just a child, but the Messiah. Mary got that honor, not her. That could have been Elizabeth’s attitude. But was it? Not a chance. 

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She was humble and honored that Mary would come to visit. She was joyful, and she blessed Mary. And most importantly, she reassured Mary with the truth of the word of God. Her words lined up with God’s word spoken to Mary by the angel:

  • Blessed are you among women
  • Blessed is the fruit of your womb
  • You are the mother of my Lord. 

“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Yet again, Elizabeth is such a wonderful example to us of how mature, godly women should think and behave. She shows us how to disciple younger women in kindness, humility, and joy, using Scripture and our God-given wisdom born of the experiences He has brought us through. And she and Mary both showcase the beauty of believing God even in the midst of unbelievable circumstances.

Elizabeth and Mary both showcase the beauty of believing God even in the midst of unbelievable circumstances.

And look at this amazing picture God paints for us in the next passage, contrasting the beauty of Elizabeth’s spiritual maturity and wisdom with Mary’s youthful innocence, awe, and wonder in worship:

Mary said,

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
Luke 1:46-49

This is personal. My soul, my spirit, my Savior. All generations will call me blessed. He has done great things for me. We can sometimes regard Mary as merely a conduit for bringing our Savior to us. But this was her life.

We can sometimes regard Mary as merely a conduit for bringing our Savior to us. But this was her life.

God sees us and knows us as His unique, one of a kind daughters, and He is our personal Father. Just as it was right and fitting for Mary to have this intimate moment worshiping her Father for what He had done in her life, and giving him all the glory, it is right and fitting for us to worship Him in quiet moments all alone, giving Him all the glory for what He has done in our lives.

But Mary knew that all of this wasn’t just about her, and as she continues to worship she expands her thoughts to include others:

And His mercy is for those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.
Luke 1:50-55

In this brief song of worship, Mary quotes from – or alludes to – several passages in Psalms, Isaiah, Habakkuk, and other Old Testament books. She knows who God is and what He has done for His people. She understands His nature and character. She knows His precepts, promises, and covenants. Mary was a woman of godly character, because she was a woman of the Word. 

God blessed Mary, and through her godly example she, in turn, blesses us. May God make us all worshipful women of the Word, like Mary.

God blessed Mary, and through her godly example she, in turn, blesses us. May God make us all worshipful women of the Word, like Mary.

Christmas

Anna’s Example

Michelle Lesley

Originally published December 23, 2021

Remember Anna? She’s one of our often overlooked sisters from Scripture. As with Elizabeth, we don’t usually hear much about Anna, except sometimes, once a year, at Christmas.

When Jesus was about a month old, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple to fulfill the requirement of the Levitical law of purification. And that’s where they encountered Anna.

Now, just a little lagniappe here, the purification ceremony where we meet Anna was completely separate from Jesus’ circumcision ceremony.

Circumcision took place when the baby was eight days old, probably in the parents’ home or possibly in the local synagogue (the synagogue was sort of a “branch campus” of the temple in towns that were outside of Jerusalem). Mary would not have been able to enter the synagogue in Bethlehem or the temple in Jerusalem for Jesus’ circumcision since she would still have been ceremonially unclean from His birth.

The purification ceremony that made her ritually clean again took place when Jesus was 33 days old at the temple in Jerusalem. A sacrifice was offered for Mary’s cleansing and Jesus was dedicated to the Lord. (see Leviticus 12)

I spell this all out because, if you’re like me, and you hear the Luke 2 account of Jesus’ birth every year, you tend to let it wash over you without really thinking about it. I never really gave much thought to the fact that these were two different events in two different places until I was studying about Anna.

And Luke 2 presents all of these events in kind of a machine gun fashion so it can practically feel like everything in that chapter is happening on the same day, and we can conflate things we shouldn’t. For example, many people think that Simeon and Anna were married just because their stories appear back to back in Luke 2. As we’re about to see, that wasn’t the case.

Let’s take a look at Anna’s story:

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38

Anna had a lot of strikes against her in life:

She was a woman. In Anna’s day, women were “low man on the totem pole” so to speak. They were regarded as less than men in practically every way- intelligence, abilities, worth, and so on. They couldn’t testify in court because their testimony wasn’t considered credible. And, maybe you’ve even heard of the daily prayer that Jewish men still say today, thanking God for not creating them a gentile…a slave…or a woman.

She was a widow, and possibly childless. A woman of that time without a husband or grown children to take care of her would have been in very real danger of poverty.

She was old. Average life expectancy in Anna’s day was 55. She was 84. When you’re 84 in ancient times with no modern medicine, you’re feeling it.

So, Anna was a woman, she was a widow, and she was old. She had some disadvantages. But Anna didn’t let those things stop her from serving the Lord full throttle. In fact, she took some of those supposed disadvantages and put them to work for her.

Anna didn’t let disadvantages stop her from serving the Lord full throttle. In fact, she took some of those supposed disadvantages and put them to work for her.

If Anna had had a husband to care for or children to raise, she wouldn’t have had the time or the energy to serve the Lord full time. And she wouldn’t have had the opportunity either, because no one in that culture would have thought it appropriate for a woman with a husband and children to abandon them to stay in the temple.

Also, in a culture that respected its elderly, it’s likely that more people – especially younger women – would have listened to her than if she had not been so advanced in years.

So Anna turned these disadvantages into opportunities. And what did she do with those opportunities? She used them to serve God and to tell people about Jesus.

That’s what the Christian life is all about – serving God and telling others about Jesus – whatever your station in life.

Maybe you’re single like Anna, and God has blessed you with the time and freedom to serve Him full time – or at least fuller time than you’d otherwise be able to.

Maybe you do have a husband and children- and God has given you the opportunity to serve Him by serving them: pouring the gospel into your children, being a godly helpmate to your husband, and being a faithful, serving member of your church.

Maybe you’re older, and instead of using your golden years for travel or hobbies or shopping, God is leading you to teach younger women or throw yourself into ministry in some way.

Anna’s example to us is to bloom where God plants us and grab hold of every opportunity to serve Him and tell others about Jesus.

Anna’s example to us is to bloom where God plants us and grab hold of every opportunity to serve Him and tell others about Jesus.