A Savior Has Been Born to You

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 ESV)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14 ESV)

Christmas is here at last! Has it met your expectations thus far? I think that we too often try to find the joy of Christmas under the Christmas tree. As hard as we search, however, it will not be found in pretty wrapping under the brightly colored lights.

Today is a day to celebrate with joy that Christ became a man that we may become like Him. Yet, He was God. He was the Ancient of Days. He created the universe full of stars and worlds; but He chose to be born a man of earth that He might live among men. He was eternal, but born by a woman – a virgin; He was almighty, but carried in His mother’s arms. Saint Augustine wrote:

Creator of heaven and earth,
He was born on earth under heaven.
Unspeakably wise,
He is wisely speechless.
Filling the world,
He lies in a manger.
Ruler of the stars,
He nurses at his mother’s bosom.
He is both great in the nature of God,
And small in the form of a servant.

Therefore, let us consider this dependent human baby who needed to be fed and taught to walk like any other child. What if that birth had never happened? Since the birth of Jesus did happen, what has been the result? The Child of Bethlehem made possible a new way of understanding life and a new way of living it. Paul writes, “Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15 ESV) Here is the real Christmas gift for you this day; your life can be changed through Jesus Christ. For twenty centuries, millions of men and women have heard the message of Christ and have been intensely changed by their relationship with Him.

What God did at Christmas is of pure grace. All praise, glory, and honor are due Him. Jesus Christ our Lord came forth into the world to bring hope of a new life in Him. The exchanges of Christmas gifts on Christmas Day may be enjoyable, but let us never forget the greatest gift of all; Jesus Christ “came into the world to save sinners”!

Merry Christmas,

Samuel

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
(The words and lyrics of “Joy to the World” were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts.)