The Christ is Born

A Child is Born, a Son is Given!

I don’t think there has been a Christmas season in the last few centuries that hasn’t quoted one or more verses from Luke 2! Even the songs declare its words, and believers and unbelievers alike quote this chapter during the season. There are 51 verses in this chapter, and it’s stuffed with important and interesting details, including:

• Christ Born of Mary
• Glory in the Highest
• The Circumcision of Jesus
• Jesus Presented in the Temple
• Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
• Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
• The Family Returns to Nazareth
• The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
• Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

Our Encouraging Verse: Luke 2:10

NIV:
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’”

The Message:
“The angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.’”

The Context:

We don’t know the name of this angel, but the angels are speaking and proclaiming again! Angels are sent from God in the third realm of heaven to speak to mortal men. Of course, like Mary, the shepherds were afraid. They were just tending to the sheep as usual when an angel appeared, surrounded by the Glory of the Lord—the blinding light of God’s presence!

Why were these ordinary shepherds chosen for such an extraordinary visit? Because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had just been born. We read in verse 7, “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” This good news had to be told! It was the best of tidings!

This is the context of these verses—and why I selected them. 🙂

My Thoughts:

As I said in Chapter 1, anytime an angel of the Lord leaves the presence of El Elyon, the Most High God, with a message, we’d better be paying attention! The angels said they were bringing good tidings, translated from the Greek word ‘euangelion‘, meaning ‘good news’ or ‘the gospel.’ It’s where we get the word evangelism from. The angels came to deliver the first Gospel message! They came to evangelize to the shepherds.

What I love about this verse is that it is all-inclusive. The message was for all people! It wasn’t for any particular race, social class, or economic bracket. It was for everyone—people from every nation, tribe, and language on earth! Our Papa God made sure that this message was shared first with those who looked after sheep. He could have chosen to reveal it to kings or chief rabbis in the temple, but He chose to display His glory with those some might look down upon.

Because God is a God of details, He made sure the angels explained where Jesus was born and how the shepherds would recognize Him. He would be the one lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes—not dressed in priestly or kingly attire, but humble swaddling clothes.

But we cannot bypass the announcement of WHO Jesus was: This babe in the manger was a Savior!

What is a Savior?

The word for Savior in Greek is sōtēr, which comes from the verb sozo, meaning to save, deliver, or rescue. This was the first proclamation after the birth of Christ that explained why He came: He came to bring salvation in the fullest context of the word!

Practical Application:

*It doesn’t matter WHO you are—the gospel and the saving power of Jesus are for you! It doesn’t matter where you grew up, what you do for a living, or the color of your skin. None of that matters. He came for ALL, and that includes you!

*The sozo is for us all. He came to save us from ALL our sins, transgressions, and inequities, just as was promised in Isaiah 53. Yes, even for murderers.
*He came to deliver us from every bondage! There is nothing that can keep us enslaved once we surrender it to the Savior!
*He can rescue us from anything! He came to ensure that no situation or issue drowns us under its weight!

*The Good News is as relevant in 2024 as it was 2000-plus years ago, and we have a responsibility to continue what the angel started—to evangelize and spread the gospel!

Your Turn 😀

Do you have anything to add to Luke 2:10-11?
How can you apply it to your life?
What was your takeaway from Luke 2?

Did you have a favorite verse or section?
Do share!

See you tomorrow!
Peace & Love,
Coach D