A Savior, Who Is Christ the Lord

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12). Such was the announcement the angel gave to the shepherds who were "watching their flock by night" (v. 8).

The word that night when Jesus was born wasn't given to the king; it wasn't given to the High Priest. The angel didn't appear before the leaders of government or the religious leaders of the day. No, the angel appeared before a group of lowly shepherds to announce the birth of the Savior. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (v. 11).

Shepherds were a lowly group. They were looked down on with disgust. They were despised by most, many believing they were nothing more than liars and thieves. They were the last people anyone would expect to be the first to receive such a glorious announcement. No one would ever believe anything they said. Such was the belief of the day. Yet, it was precisely to this band of shepherds to whom the angel came to announce the birth of the Savior.

And where would they find Him? "In the city of David" (v. 11a). They would find Him in Bethlehem, the city of David's birth. Thus, these lowly shepherds were sent into the lowly little town of Bethlehem, a small town of littler to no significance. Again, the last place anyone would expect such a great event to occur. Surely the Savior would be born in Jerusalem or another great city. But no, He was born in a small town of no consequence.

But that is not all. The angel told them to look for a newborn baby: "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger" (v. 12). "In a manger" (v. 12b), a feeding trough for animals. The Savior of the world was born in a lowly stable out behind an inn. A dusty, smelly home for animals! That is where they would find the Savior. And they soon discovered that He was born to a lowly couple; a poor shepherd and His betrothed teenage wife.

But what was significant was who this baby was: "a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (v. 11b). This baby would grow up, living a perfect life. He shed His blood and died on the cross, a substitute for you, paying the penalty for your sin, bringing you forgiveness and new life. Just believe in Him, in His death and resurrection and confess His name, and you will be saved. Can you trust Jesus today? Have a Merry Christmas! Amen.