Unexpected Joy - The Lamb

To reflect the light of Christ this Christmas, I would like to share a song The Lamb by Abby Twigger. It imagines the shepherds' experience meeting newborn Jesus.

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.

And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (Luke 2:15-20)

What invoked this profound joy for 'all the things they had heard and seen'? Was it in large part because it was so unexpected? These were mere shepherds, yet they were invited. Kings were not a usual part of their social circle! In accepting a poor lot in life, they assumed nothing. In reality, these individuals were of infinite worth. Their joy mattered. This Saviour was for them as much as anyone. Their life turned from night to noon day. They could suddenly see, feel and know themselves as loved, cherished children of God, never forgotten, to whom had been given the greatest gift. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).

If we decided to seek Jesus, what are our expectations? Expectations guide our choices. Much is superficial. The image of religion, faithfulness and commitment is unappealing. It can look contrived, false and foolish. Yet what if, in reality, seeking Jesus was, like the shepherds, nothing like you expected. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. (Isaiah 64:4)

How unexpected it must have been to find the King of Kings born in a stable. Where we find Jesus will surprise us too. I find Jesus on my feet, working; in prayer, kneeling; in scripture, learning and in the temple, giving. Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63)

It is worth a try! I recommend the Book of Mormon for finding Jesus. It is the purest text we have from Him. The app is a great new way of reading it. It will not be what you expected.

Thank you to Abby for writing such a great song. The words describe the unexpected journey to finding Jesus.

Through fields and rivers I wandered

To get a glimpse of a King

Though all in Bethlehem are sleeping

The angel said to visit Him

With nothing but I'm wearing

A shepherd's crook held in my hand

Others follow on behind me

Leaving all the lambs

I enter and I kneel before Him

This babe the angel said would be

Wrapped and lying in a manger

What kind of saviour can he be?

He cannot save a nation

He'll make an ordinary man

They said that He would bring salvation

But He is just a lamb

Mule and oxen round about Him

It's hard to see why there's a fuss

I thought that we would come and find Him

In a place more glorious

But then He turned His head to face me

I'm sure He moved his tiny hand

I'm nothing like I was before this

Before I met the Lamb

And now I see His face before me

I feel His outstretched hand

I'm nothing like I was before this

Before I knew the Lamb