Wednesday, December 19, 2012
December 19 - Shepherds
I love the lessons we learn from the shepherds. They were humble followers of Christ. They came with haste to find Him. They shared their knowledge of Christ with others. Jesus was the Good Shepherd and sought after lost sheep. We can be like the shepherds today.
Complete Devotionals HERE.
Timeline: c. 1 B.C.
Opening Song: In A Little Stable-piano; vocal copy
Have the children ring bells while singing.
Ornament: Shepherd’s staff
In the same country where Jesus was born, shepherds were in the nearby fields watching over their flocks at night. Then suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared and the shepherds were frightened. But the angel told them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” The angel told them that the Savior, Christ the Lord was born that very day. He told them that they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes (cloths), lying in a manger (a long open box or trough for animals to eat out of). Then a large group of angels appeared and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” When the angels left, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us now go …unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Hurrying to Bethlehem, the shepherds found Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in a manger.
We can learn many lessons from the shepherds.
1. What type of men were the shepherds?
The angels chose to announce Christ’s birth to humble, poor shepherds rather than the prominent or wealthy people in the region. Why do you think they chose the shepherds?
Alma foresaw the angels’ appearance to the shepherds. He said, “And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming…” Alma 13:26. These men were "just and holy" and prepared (just = behaving according to what is morally right). How can we make ourselves just and holy? 1
2. The scriptures say that the shepherds “came with haste” to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. Do we hasten to come close to the Savior each day? Do we put Him first? How can we remember to hasten to come to Him each day? (pray morning and night, read scriptures before other activities, act as He would….)
3. After they saw the newborn Savior, the shepherds “made it known abroad” what they had seen and heard concerning Christ. They glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen. Are we willing to share our knowledge about Jesus Christ with others, too? How can we show our joy for all of our blessings, which come from Him?
4. Jesus was known as the Good Shepherd. Shepherds remind us of being like Christ. Elder Eyring said, “A shepherd watches over sheep. In the scriptural stories, the sheep are in danger; they need protection and nourishment. The Savior warns us that we must watch the sheep as He does. He gave His life for them. They are His. We cannot approach His standard if, like a hired servant, we watch only when it is convenient and only for a reward” (Henry B. Eyring, “‘Watch with Me’,” Ensign, May 2001, 38). Who do you think are the “sheep” in our lives? Let us nurture a loving, caring spirit for everyone we come in contact with, just as Jesus would if He were here.
Let’s be good shepherds to those around us, especially during this Christmas time.
Closing Song: “The Shepherd’s Carol” CS, 40
Idea from christcenteredtraditions.blogspot: Spend the evening as though you were shepherds on that wondrous night when an angel of the Lord appeared with glad tidings. Begin the evening with a dinner of "Shepherd's Pie," or eat on the floor on a blanket a more humble fare as the shepherds may have eaten such as pita bread and cheese. Spend this evening by candlelight. Have everyone dress as shepherds. Act out their story as you read the lesson.
From happyhomefairy.com: Give each child a candy cane. Read “The Legend of the Candy Cane” or teach the symbolism: White = virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy symbolizes the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God. Shape of a J = Jesus. Staff shape = “The Good Shepherd.” Red stripes to represent the suffering Christ endured in our behalf.
"Find the Lost Sheep" game could be played where a "sheep" hides somewhere in the house and the shepherds try to find him. The little lost sheep could cry "baa" until found.
Families with young children could make construction paper sheep with cotton balls glued on.
A small lamb from a nativity set could be hidden in the room, and the children find him and then take turns hiding him again.
The children could sleep that night as shepherd's slept, on the ground. It is fun to have a night of sleeping near the Christmas tree.
Drink Candy Cane Cocoa: 4 c milk, 3 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped, 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed, 1 c whipped cream, 4 small peppermint candy canes. Heat milk until steaming hot (not boiling). Add chocolate and crushed peppermint and allow to melt and become smooth. Pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream and crushed candy canes or add candy cane stirring stick.
Extra Shepherd-Themed Activity Ideas
From christcenteredtraditions.blogspot.com:
Make Shepherd Cane cookies. Have the dough ready and let each person make their own cane. Use your own favorite sugar cookie dough or the one below. The trick is adding red food coloring to half of the dough, rolling out long strands of dough, and twisting them together.
Shepherd Cane Cookies
1 c butter
1 c powdered sugar
1 egg
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
2½ c flour
1 tsp salt
½ tsp red food coloring
Mix together butter, sugar, egg and extracts thoroughly. Stir in flour and salt. Divide dough in half. Blend red coloring into one half of the dough. Cover the two pieces of dough and refrigerate.
To bake: Preheat oven to 350°. For each cookie, roll 1 teaspoon of dough from each half back and forth on a lightly floured surface into 4” rope. Place 1 red and 1 white rope side by side. Press together lightly at top and twist. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and turn down top to form the crook of the cane. Bake 9 minutes. Watch closely as they have a tendency to brown quickly. Cool on racks.
