This post first appeared as a devotional in Barclay Press in 2012.

In my neighborhood a big box book store recently went out of business. Many people were upset that this was a sign of the times: “No one is reading books anymore.” In the Health Food Store I manage we reduced the size of our book section only to receive similar grumblings. Some newspapers are stopping the presses forever. School and public libraries are closing everyday. When was the last time you bought an encyclopedia set?

Is it all doom and gloom for the next generation?

The world is changing. It seems the world is moving and changing faster than ever before. More books are being published than ever before, many in the form of e-books. My Kindle has a book case worth of books on it. Information can be found at our fingertips. More people are sharing, writing and contributing than ever before.

I have a shelf of Bibles, in various translations, in my study but I mostly use the one digitally loaded onto my phone. I search Wikipedia frequently for information. I even get medical advice from the Internet. The message hasn’t changed, we receive it differently.

Have you ever considered how many different ways God has delivered his messages to us? God has used angels and prophets to deliver His messages. Once He even used a donkey.

And one night, many years ago, angels announced to a group of lowly shepherds that the Savior of the world had been born. And ever since that birth, wise men and women still seek Him.

Two prayer thoughts: How is God communicating to you? How are you communicating God’s message?

Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-20

-Pastor Rick Ellis
Pastor at Friends Community Church