The doctrine:

For most of us, however, what is required is not to die for the Church but to live for it. For many, living a Christlike life every day may be even more difficult than laying down one’s life. (James E. Faust, “Discipleship,” Ensign, Nov 2006, 20–23)

The application:

When the shepherds learned of Jesus’ birth, they didn’t hesitate or wait until lambing season was over or dinner was prepared. They went immediately to see the baby. Likewise, the wise men went promptly to find the baby when the signs told them of His birth. They traveled several years, and kept their eyes on the star, which guided them to the child, no longer in a stable where his heritage might be easier to identify. He was, by then, in an ordinary home, and only inspiration and prophecy told them where He was.

The star serves as a metaphor for us today. President Gordon B. Hinckley, a former president of the Church, talked of sleeping out under the stars as a child and noting the stars moved and changed location—except for the North Star, which was always found, reliably and reassuringly, in the same spot. It never changed. He encouraged children to be as constant as the North Star in their own lives.

The Gospel and the life of Jesus Christ are our stars to follow. Just as following the star without hesitation or detour led the wise men right to the Savior, following Jesus’ teachings can lead us directly home to His presence. Of course, this is easier said than done. As President Faust warned, many people find the daily challenge of living the gospel to be harder than the momentary acts of heroism and greatness. Many of us can do the right thing in the big moments; it’s the small ones that tempt us to be weak.

When Betty Jo N. Jepsen was First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, she delivered a conference talk called By Way of Invitation [Betty Jo N. Jepsen, “ ‘By Way of Invitation’ (Alma 5:62),” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 76]. In it, she spoke of her longing to kneel at the manger and to receive an invitation like that received by the shepherds and Wise Men. Then she reminds us we have all received that invitation:

Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you. Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely; Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness.” (Alma 5:33, 35.)

Sister Jepsen suggests five ways we can answer the invitation to kneel at the manger. These five methods are to search the word of God, pray, participate in the saving ordinances, increase our talents, and serve others.

As we contemplate our own personal invitation to kneel at the manger this Christmas season, we can make our own list. The invitation is personal, just for us, and our own response should be equally personal. What we include in our response is our Christmas gift to the Savior.

When you set up your nativity set this year, consider giving each family member a lamb to represent himself. Let him map out his route the baby, following his own personal star by serving God and better keeping the commandments. As he carries out his personal responses to the invitation, he can move his lamb closer to the manger, until the day arrives that his lamb sits at the manger.

The star is already in the sky; it remains only for us to follow it.