“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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
With each passing year, as we await the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the message of Christmas shines ever brighter, in the backdrop of a world that is becoming increasingly darker with sin. The gospel message of peace and hope is ever so needed in a divided and hopeless world. Only Christ can break the power of sin in our lives that divides us, and turn our despair into joy and gladness. As the Psalmist said in Psalm 30:11-12: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”
The announcement of the birth of Christ by God Himself and the angelic host, as recorded for us by Luke, is so fitting of this greatest news of all time. The promise of the seed of the woman had been given over four thousand years earlier, there in the garden. The sacrificial system had been instituted by Moses some fifteen hundred years before Christ’s birth; and no doubt, millions of sacrifices had been offered since then, all pointing to the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. And now He is here, and God wants to announce it to His people Israel. But we can’t help but notice the unlikely recipients of this greatest news ever. It is not the king who is entrusted with this good news, nor is it the religious leaders, but poor shepherds. This seems quite odd to us. But this is the paradox of the gospel; the Lord bypasses those who exalt themselves, and exalts the humble instead. As Mary said in her song of praise: “for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant… 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Luke 1:48-52).
And so it is to this day, those who humble themselves and look to Christ for mercy and pardon will be saved, while the proud and self-righteous will perish.
It is our prayer that many in this Christmas season would receive Christ as Savior, and bow the knee to Him as King and Lord of their lives. And for us believers, may we never cease to be amazed at the love of God for us in sending His beloved Son into the world to be our Redeemer.