Gospel doctrine Lesson Three

Unto you is born

a Savior

Purpose: To
encourage class
members to
rejoice in the
birth of Christ and
to follow the
example he set in
his youth.

When You Follow A Star and Find a Stable

In the Bible we read the story of the wise men who followed the star. Here is my question
What happens when youve spent years following a star to find a king and you find a
stable instead? What happens when all of a sudden, after thinking that something grand
and glorious would be at the other end, you end up in the backyard of a barn? And instead
of a king on a throne you find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes? It is nothing like you
anticipated. How do you react when you follow a star and find a stable? Can you imagine
the disappointment the Magi must have felt when they finally ended up in Bethlehem?
They were expecting a mansion or a royal court. They even stopped at King Herods
palace thinking that they had found the child that the star promised.. Everyone of us has
had times in life when weve followed a star. Everything looked so promising, but, in the end,
we found ourselves in a stable. Here is what real wise men do when things dont turn out
exactly as expected:
1) Wise men of every age, when handed a difficult situation, dont panic. Instead, they learn
to find God in the stable. This is part of developing a mature testimony. It is easy to see
God in the good things. But, as we get older we have to start seeing him in the mundane
and disappointing things as well. Learn to find the Savior in the stable. Can you think of a
time that you able to find the Savior in what was otherwise a very disappointing or
difficult time in your life?

Theres a difference between expecting God to be faithful and anticipating the specific
ways he will demonstrate his faithfulness. The first attitude hopes in Gods constancy
and wisdom; the second may assume that we know whats best. If we get the two
confused, we are liable to be disappointed with the results.

2) Wise men give their best when they arrive at a stable. They offer gold and
frankincense and myrrh. The temptation is to hold back and refuse to give
anything, much less the best. But when the wise men came to the stable, they
didnt withhold anything. They didnt look at each other and say, You know. This
kid aint worth it. He doesnt need gold. Lets go. They assessed the humble
situation and then gave their best. What can you do to ensure that you give your
best in difficult circumstances?

3) The wise men, after experiencing Jesus, abandoned their plans and changed
direction. They did not go back the way that they had come. They continued on in
a different direction. Let the stable experiences in your life change you.
When you encounter Jesus, turn your life around and go the way that he
would have you go. Is there something in your life right now that you could turn
around with the help of your Savior?

What were the circumstances of Jesus birth? (See

Luke 2:7). How did these circumstances foreshadow
his mortal ministry and his atoning sacrifice? In
what ways do people today refuse to make room
for the Savior in their lives? What can we do to
make room for him in our lives?

What did Mary do after Jesus birth and the

visit of the shepherds? (See Luke 2:19). What
does this reveal about Mary? Why is it
important to take time to cherish and ponder
sacred experiences?

The importance of pondering the sacred is simply

thisif one does not ponder upon holy things, he will
lose them. Absent a feeling of reverence, he will
grow increasingly casual in attitude and lax in
conduct. He will drift from the moorings that his
covenants with God could provide. On the other
hand, with a sense of the sacred, one grows in
understanding and truth. The Holy Spirit becomes
his frequent and then constant companion. More
and more he will stand in holy places and be
entrusted with holy things. Just the opposite of
cynicism and despair, his end is eternal life.
D. Todd Christopherson

That Child to be born of Mary was of right to be called the Son of the Highest. In His
nature would be combined the powers of Godhood with the capacity and possibilities of
mortality. The Child Jesus was to inherit the physical, mental, and spiritual traits,
tendencies, and powers that characterized His parentsone immortal and glorifiedGod,
the other humanwoman (Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 81).
Read the following scriptures and quotes and then fill in the table listing which attributes
Jesus inherited from His Father and which attributes He inherited from Mary.
Scripture or Quote

Heavenly Father

Mary

JST John 1:14

Mosiah 3:7
John 10:18
D&C 93:3-4; 13
From His immortal Father,
Jesus inherited the power
to live forever. From His
mortal mother He inherited
the fate of physical death.
These unique attributes
were essential for His
mission to atone for the sins
of all. Mankind. Thus Jesus
the Christ was born to die.
He died that we might live.

How can you more fully submit to the

Fathers will?

Marys consecrated utterance, Behold

the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me
according to thy word (Luke 1:38), signaled
her complete willingness to accept and to
fulfill her sacred role. Her faith,
obedience, and humility set a standard for
all women
(Virginia U. Jensen, Ripples, Ensign, Nov.
2000, 93).