God kept His Promise! A Sign! A New Star! Its beauty unmatched! Brightly shone from afar! The midnight! It was perfect! The calm unforeseen! Angels hummed anthems! Serenity would sing! The radiance illuminated! The shepherds amazed! To all man a witness! A babe born! We would praise! The ensign remained! To lead the wisest of men! To a place well hidden! Our Miracle to defend! Innocent!  And pure! A divine child from on high! Never a blemish! And never a lie! Perfection and love! Shared with every living soul! A Savior anointed! God’s gift here foretold!                                              (Written by R. Lyle Johnson: 23 Dec 2011 )

The account of a new and precious star appearing in the heavens has endured for over two millenniums. Today it has become a symbol of God’s love for us, and a light to follow. A prophesy fulfilled, a promise of hope, a visual reminder of good tidings of great joy to all man.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10)

 It is told of the wise men who sought out the babe in Bethlehem.  

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

In the poem a subtle suggestion is whispered: “The wisest of men on this earth, will seek out the Savior.” The ensign in the poem is not only the guiding star, but it is the truth we can find in the scriptures, and on bent knees. The Holy Spirit then becomes our guiding star to the King of kings!

This knowledge of truth, of a Savior, is relatively hidden from the world. It is our miracle to guard and to defend. It is not a lie, nor a myth as evil men would portray. It is truth in its purest form, a pearl of great price, a spiritual treasure of eternal worth!

There indeed was a perfect child born of a virgin!

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)

This child would grow to be the Anointed One, the Redeemer, the Light and Life to all the world. The Living Christ was and is perfect in every way. And His love for each of us is as pure, unblemished, and perfect as the babe born in a manger.

Herein is God’s love manifested; His gift to us!  The Lamb of God!  His only Begotten!  The beloved child of a virgin!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

May we all follow that star, and let it become our compass, our strength, our symbol of devotion. And then one day we will feel the good tidings of great joy in His presence, now and forever!

I just read “The Three Degrees of Glory” by Melvin J. Ballard. It had some interesting insights to share. One was that our second estate status here on earth was a result of our valor in the pre-existence. In other words, much of the truth of the gospel plan we receive here on the earth is a result of efforts and choices we made before this life. If someone had little concern about the plan of salvation before this life, they probably do not have an interest while here on earth today. He also suggested that, “so it will be in the next life.”

Our efforts here on earth and the choices we make today will follow us after this earthly probation. So I guess the questions arise, “what have we chosen, and what are we choosing to do today?  What glory are we preparing for?”  Bro. Ballard insinuated that the choices we make right now will be the same, and not change just because of death and a new environment. As we strive to know the Savior and Heavenly Father by keeping the commandments and our covenants, we assure ourselves an inheritance in the highest degree of glory.  If we choose less in mortality, we will receive less in the eternities.

He also stated that repentance will be ten times harder without this physical body. The body or temple is a tool to assist us in repentance. We have it only for a short time while here on earth. It facilitates our progression. We will not have a body in the Spirit World. So the body is a priceless gift that should be valued and cherished, just like a temple of God. It quickens the purification and sanctification process. Therefore, the body is a catalyst and sacred gift that helps us in our perfection to become as God is.  And thus we  become one in purpose and glory with Him for time and all eternity.

Since this time with a mortal body is so short, we should utilize it for our progression, and value it above all treasures.  We should use it wisely!  It should be employed each day in our efforts to become perfect.

It is harder to become like Him after we have died and gone to the Spirit World  So, this earth life and this body, really are great blessings and opportunities!

Just a thought.

To understand the three degrees of glory, visit the link below:

www.aplacetoponder.com/godsplan/index.html