Nativity #2

We had Stake Conference over the weekend and Elder Russell M. Nelson was our visiting authority.  On Saturday night, at the adult session he asked if he could take the opportunity to speak to us about the Savior's birth.  As if any of us would have said no.  It was wonderful.  In fact before I delve into the shepherds I want to add something to the star that he shared.  He said that the time of the Savior's birth was known exactly because God would have had to put things into motion so that the star would be revealed to the earth at just the right moment.  We know that it can take light years for the light of a start to reach the earth and so the day and time of the Savior's birth was known long before that night came.  He also said and I agree that it proves "there is order in the universe".  Cosmic events are not by happen chance.  

Now for the shepherds, Peter asked the question "why those shepherds?" the other night when we were watching the First Presidency Christmas devotional.  It is a good question. I believe they were close to where the Savior was born and that they would believe the words of the angel and act upon what they were told.  They went and beheld the baby Jesus.  They then went and testified of it to all.  This was important. We know that there have been others that have seen angels and been told to do things by angels and not done them (I am thinking of Laman and Lemuel primarily).   The Lord wanted the birth of his son to be announced and so he needed witnesses.

Elder Nelson also pointed out that the announcement of the Good Shepherd's birth was to shepherd's and the Good Shepherd became a lamb.  

For me, I look at the shepherd's as men (maybe women too) who were humble enough and faithful enough to be trusted with this great news.  Also, the Lord did not only tell royalty, wealthy, or powerful about the birth of his son.  The savior was for all men.  

I have done some other reading about the nativity and it has touched me to think of what that night meant for all of God's children.  I would like to think that I was in that host of angels that sang to the shepherds - hallelujah which I learned from Elder Nelson means praise to Jehovah.