This is my one hundredth post. I think about the number one hundred and I remember when my children were little and they would hit 100 days of school and bring in 100 items of something to celebrate. It was a big deal to hit 100 days of school. If someone turns 100, which is a rarity, there is usually a big celebration and there might even be some sort of announcement put in the newspaper. Which led me to thinking about other special events and announcements throughout history.
There was an announcement made, longer than 100 years ago, of a very sacred, planned, celebrated, prophesied, and foretold event (see Isaiah 7:14). This would be the announcement of the birth of the Savior of the world. It had finally taken place. It wasn't announced in a newspaper, or on television, or even announced by the king to all the people of the land. It was announced to a few, chosen people who were prepared to hear the news and had been waiting and anticipating His birth. The announcement went to some "country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8). Granted, they did get it announced in a pretty spectacular way. Having an angel appear would be pretty awesome.
As I read this account, found in Luke 2, of the Shepherds being told of the birth of Jesus Christ, I find it humbling that they were "sore afraid" when the angel appears to them (Luke 2:9). I am sure, as shepherds, they were used to being out in the fields at night and had faced dangers to protect their sheep. These were good, honest, and faithful men who were able to receive this witness. The angel calms them and says, "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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12).
Tidings simply means news or information. The angel brought "tidings of great joy"! So great was this news that "...suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:13-14). When using the term "multitude" this implies too many to count, or innumerable. I envision the heavens filled with "heavenly host". This was "glory to God"(Luke 2:14). The shepherds responded to this message of "great joy" and went "with haste" to see the baby "lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12). "And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child" (Luke 2:16-17)
As I ponder the announcement being made to shepherds, I realize the "Good Shepherd" is Christ (see John 10:14). It is only fitting that His birth should be announced to shepherds. Even in His birth the angels are prophesying in a symbolic way, of His incredible mission of saving all mankind (see Articles of Faith 1:3). He is the Shepherd of us all who choose to follow His voice and "bring forth good works" (Alma 5:41).
As followers of Jesus Christ, we hear His voice and follow Him because we want to know Him and we are His sheep (see Guide to the Scriptures). We can, as the shepherds, go "with haste" and see and then make it "known abroad", and we can be shepherds and follow Christ's example by "taking up our cross daily" (Luke 9:23) and "feed [His] sheep" (John 21:17). We don't have to wait for something significant like 100 days, or even years to pass to celebrate this incredible event, the birth and life of our Savior. We are shepherds every day as we follow the "Good Shepherd" (Topical Guide-Good Shepherd) and live with Christ at the center of our lives.
Pres. Howard W. Hunter said: "Please remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and His teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right" (Fear Not, Little Flock). We don't need to be "sore afraid", but can "rejoice evermore" (1 Thessalonians. 5:16) and be shepherds, "glorifying and praising God for all the things" we hear and see (Luke 2:20). This I testify.
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