Shepherds....

For My Mom and Dad who are currently serving in the Washington DC Temple Visitors Center.  

Shepherds

Of all the characters in the Christmas story, besides Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, it is the Shepherd’s who impress me most. 

We don’t know much about them other than the striking fact that our Heavenly Father chose them to be the first to hear the “good news” of our Savior’s birth.   I have pondered this glorious fact, that God chose them…some of the most humble and lowly of all people.  Who were these people and why were they chosen? The scriptures don’t elaborate..but I  imagine that the hearts of those  shepherds  were gentle and kind.  I imagine that while they lived their quiet humble lives, caring for sheep they pondered the prophecies of a Savior coming to save His people.  I imagine that they believed and prayed about these prophecies as they shepherded their sheep.  I believe they looked forward with faith and humility to the wonderful day when the earth would receive a Savior to save all mankind.   

I imagine it was a peaceful night, the night the Savior was born.  The shepherds with their sheep on the hillside, their sheep and lambs scattered about.  The night sky was clear and full of stars, one noticeably brighter than all the others.  Perhaps there was a fire or two crackling in the stillness of that night.  And in this peaceful scene, can you imagine the shock and wonder the shepherds felt at seeing an angel appear and suddenly announce to them, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of Great Joy, which shall be to All people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you.  You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God in the Highest and peace on earth.” 

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”

I am sure the shepherds never forgot that night.  I imagine that they told that story to anyone who would listen.  In a sense they were called to be witnesses that night…and tell others of their experience. 

And this is YOU Mom and Dad….  You are humble, good people with kind hearts.  You have pondered the scriptures and prophecies all of your good lives.  You humbly believe and always have!    You have been blessed with deep testimonies and knowledge of the Savior and Heavenly Father’s Plan.  You are now going forth telling people the good news….that  Jesus came, that He is our personal Savior and the light and life of the world.  You tell people that our Heavenly Father has a plan for His children and Jesus is central to that plan and is our Redeemer.  You tell people that there is hope and that life is good and has purpose.  Heavenly Father has blessed you with knowledge just as surely as he did the Shepherds! 

You also go forth “glorifying and praising God for all the things that (you) have heard and seen.”

You are the bearer of good news!   And we love and honor you for it!  What joy to serve the Savior and Heavenly Father at this special time of year and in such a special place.  We wish you a very Merry Christmas.  May you feel joy and peace.  We love you....