Day 2: The Shepherd

Day #2 The Shepherd ( Luke 2:8-18)

Elder Kearon shared the following thought about the shepherds on the night of the Savior's birth:

"When the heavenly host had concluded their joyful proclamation, the shepherds responded immediately, saying, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass”. They came “with haste” and found the Christ child just as the angel had said, and then they “returned, glorifying and praising God”. Wanting to share the glorious news of the Savior’s birth, “they made [it] known abroad” .

Like the shepherds, we must respond immediately, with haste, whenever the Spirit speaks to us. In the words of President Thomas S. Monson, we must “never, never, never postpone following a prompting.” Sometimes after heeding a prompting, we cannot clearly see why we have been guided by the Spirit to act in a certain way. But often, like the shepherds, we see miracles occur, and our faithful response to a prompting is confirmed. We can then take opportunities to share our joy and our witness with others. Doing so can strengthen others’ faith and hope, further confirming our own testimonies and bringing us closer to the Savior and His ways."

In following that counsel we become more like the Good Shepherd whom we emulate. The shepherds in Bethlehem lived their lives raising sheep to be sold and sacrificed during Passover each year. But this year they witnessed the birth of the Lamb of God who would be perfect and without blemish and who would sacrifice his life to redeem his people. So when I think of the shepherds, I think of humble followers who know how to respond immediately, and I think of the one true Shepherd who leads and guides us every day of our lives.