It’s been a long time since I posted. Life gets kind of crazy and you lose track of the days. I hope you all are enjoying the Christmas season. It is a wonderful time to think about the Savior and his miraculous birth.

Two weeks ago I was asked to give the lesson in the High Priest Group. The topic was “How the Savior birth affects us all”. While I was studying this topic I came across an Ensign article publish in 1997 titled Birth of the Messiah. It was very interesting and taught me many things.

I went back in the Old Testament to look for images that would help explain the Story of the Nativity.  I came across Ezekiel 34 and it was like I had never read it before. It is a beautiful chapter where the Lord identifies the leaders of the Jews as the Shepherds. And then reprimands them for not feeding the sheep. He then goes on to say that he will seek after the lost sheep of Israel and they will be brought to his pastures and find peace. It is extremely beautiful and poignant. It is worth the read.

So I’m thinking that the first century Jews and Christians are familiar with this image and so when they read the story of the Nativity, they might be confused. The angels did not appear to the ruler of the Jews but to humble Shepherds in the field. Men who didn’t have authority, but were just doing their jobs. This is an immense privilege. What could be the meaning of this? Some will say that it is just a story. It doesn’t have to have any meaning. I believe it does. It describes those who are diligently working to prepare those who will serve in the church.

In the above mention article the writer explains that according to Jewish law, sheep and other herds where keep a distance away from the cities. Living next to a dairy I can understand the need for space. But according to the story, the shepherds where close by, as after the angels appeared they went and visited the child.

So it turns out that the Jews would keep flocks of sheep near the town that were to give birth to Passover lambs.  And more than likely they were birthing them during the time the star appeared. These were no ordinary flocks. They were separated from the rest and were preparing for the Passover. A very important celebration in the Jewish calendar.

So important was the work these men were performing that the heavens saw fit to announce and celebrate the birth of the Savior.  Christ the Savior of the entire world, born in this country and lambs born to take on themselves individual sins of those willing to offer them as sacrifice. I think this is a type of the work of the church. We are all involved in the process of preparing Passover lambs. Those that will sacrifice their time, talents and everything they are blessed with in building the church and kingdom of God on this earth.

Whatever calling we have is important. It helps us and others to do his work. Be diligent and patient in do the work and great blessing will be yours. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!