Michelle and I were participants this year in the reenactment of The Nativity at Opportunity Village. Throughout this past week, the multi-evening event was pleasant and fun but felt somewhat procedural. That is, until the last performances on Saturday night. Between performances that night, the cast joined a men’s choir in singing “Silent Night.” During that song, the reality of the Savior’s birth was again felt deep in my heart.

I had learned previously of the goodness of the God-fearing shepherds that tended the sheep that special night. I was representing those holy men in our modern-day reenactment. After singing with the men’s group, I went out to the next performance and stood in the staged shepherds’ field. I wondered to myself if I would have been worthy to be one of the ancient shepherds of Bethlehem. As that performance ended, a cute, little, blond girl came up to me and asked who I was. I responded that I was a Shepherd. Then her next question was penetrating. She asked if I was a nice shepherd. The young girl’s question seemed inspired as I had wondered, minutes earlier, if I could measure up as one asked to tend a portion of the Lord’s flock.

Saturday evening, I was not just a performer. I was blessed to feel deeply of the Savior’s reality and of His influence upon my soul.

Last night around midnight, Michelle poked her head out the back door and called my name. I responded and soon was back in the house. When she saw my camera in tow, she said, “What are you taking a picture of?” It did seem dark and bleak outside to the naked eye. But with a long exposure, the hidden beauty of the scene became apparent. So it is with our Heavenly Father. Although we often only see the bleak and the dark, He knows the hidden beauty around us and within us. Often it takes a “long exposure” for that beauty to become manifest.

Beauty Exposed- midnight in Las Vegas