Like the Shepherds

I love Christmas!  And I love the Christmas season and being able to focus even more on the Savior and His birth.  One story that has recently really inspired me was the story of the shepherds and their involvement in the story of the birth of the Savior.      

In the New Testament in Luke 2 it talks about the shepherds.
" 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. "

These good tidings of Jesus Christ's birth is really a message of great joy.  Jesus Christ is born who is the Savior of the World, the Redeemer, the Messiah, the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God, and the Prince of Peace.  

In the Book of Mormon in Alma 11:40 it talks about Christ and says, 

"40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else."  

Jesus Christ's birth in Bethlehem is "good tidings of great joy" for all of us because it is only through Jesus Christ that we can return to live with Heavenly Father again.  Jesus Christ's birth, His life, His ministry, His Atonement, His death, and His resurrection were all for us to make the way possible for us to become clean and for us to return to live with Heavenly Father again.  That should bring all of us great joy!  

After the shepherds heard this announcement from the angel, it says, 

"15 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.

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

I love the part where it says the shepherds "came with haste" in their search for Christ.  They diligently sought after Jesus Christ.  Do we diligently seek Christ during the Christmas season and everyday of our lives?  I hope we can be like the shepherds and search for Him.  And then it says the shepherds "found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."  The shepherds found Christ in a manger; where can we find Christ?  We can find Him in the scriptures, in prayer, in service, in forgiveness, in love, in charity, in church.

In the Bible in Jeremiah 29:13 it says, 

"13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. "

We all can be like the shepherds and find Jesus Christ if we but diligently search for Him with all our heart.  He is always there, but it is our responsibility to go to Him.  I hope we can find Jesus Christ in our hearts this Christmas season and always. 

And finally, after the shepherds found Jesus Christ, it says, 

"17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds."

After the shepherds found and gained their testimony of Jesus Christ, they helped others come to know about these good tidings as well.  They spread the Christmas message to all who would hear.  That is our responsibility too, to help others come to know about and find Jesus Christ.  Let us all spread the true spirit of Christmas to all others and help them find Jesus Christ too.  

I love the Christmas season and I love the story of the shepherds and how they sought and found Jesus Christ.  I hope we can all diligently seek and find Jesus Christ this Christmas season and throughout our lives and help others to do the same, just like the shepherds.