The Men of Christmas

When I read the Christmas story I start to wonder, what part of the story would I want to play? The characters all have such interesting perspectives. I realize my Biblical knowledge is limited and I may not understand the customs and traditions of the time, but I am always fascinated by the many individuals that are in the story of the birth of our Savior.

Growing up I always thought it would be exciting to be one of the wise men. I love their story. Something seems magical about a new star appearing in the sky that guides these men to the home of their Lord and King. They didn't come to Mary and Joseph's home seeking blessings or confirmation of their hopes, they came with gifts. They came to worship and praise this child that would one day save them from their sins.

It seems like all of us have at one point in time have worn a bathrobe and acted out the part of the shepherd. It must have been quite an amazing sight for the shepherds to have an angel appear to them and declare the amazing news that Christ was born. Even more stunning would have been seeing the multitude of heavenly host saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." The most spectacular experience for the shepherds must have been their short journey to visit Mary and Joseph and the new born babe that they found wrapped in swaddling clothes. We all can relate to the special feeling there is when you hold a new born. It probably is indescribable the feeling they had as they were in the presence of the new born king.

I always wonder what Joseph must have felt like on that spectacular night. Was he scared? He had been trusted with the responsibility to provide and care for this newborn who would someday be the king of kings. My guess is that he wasn't scared. I expect Joseph stood with confidence that night. He had witnessed a miracle of this birth and had to know that this was a special calling from God to provide a home for this child. I would assume he was humbled but not scared. I look up to this carpenter.

Finally, the multitude of heavenly host or as we call them, the angels. It must have been quite the rush in Heaven that night to get to sing in the choir. I don't sing in choirs. I enjoy listening to them but I just don't have the singing talent. My guess is if I were to be in this choir, I would have been a stagehand of some kind. Maybe I would have helped place the stars in the right order so as to illuminate the heavenly host for the shepherds to see. Or maybe I would have helped amplify their sound through some heavenly power so the world could hear them sing.

I don't know how many times or ways I can say it must of have been some night over there in Bethlehem. I've been trying to think of days when I truly was amazed by something. Something that might have put me in awe like the birth of the Savior does. My wedding day, the days that my nephews were born and I got to hold them for the first time, and the day I arrived in San Jose, California to serve my LDS mission all come to mind. Somehow the day Christ was born seems so much bigger. How grateful I am for our Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his life and for his atonement on our behalf. What a wonderful celebration this is.

Merry Christmas to you! May you and your family be blessed with joy and happiness this holiday season and may we all remember to take time to remember that special night of our Savior's birth.