The Promise of a Savior!
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.’” Luke 2:1-14 (NIV)
One of our Christmas traditions is to read the Christmas story before opening any presents. I hope you will take a moment to do the same and perhaps establish this as a Christmas tradition in your own family. Afterall, it is Jesus’ birthday we are celebrating. Reminding ourselves and our loved ones of the story of His birth, the circumstances Mary and Joseph faced as a young couple and the promise of a Savior that was born in a humble stable gives meaning to Christmas and offers us hope.
I love the part where the angel shows up unannounced to those lowly shepherds in the middle of the night bursting at his wings to tell the story all of heaven was waiting to share! “I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.” This was good news indeed, and it wasn’t just for the Jews! Luke is the only Gentile writer in the New Testament, and he wanted to emphasize that the Savior born in Bethlehem was for all the people! Jesus came for you and for me! He came to a lost and dying world! It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are from or what you’ve ever done! God loves you! He came to save you! “… a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord!”
When the angel made this announcement the Bible says, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel….” Finally, in the fullness of time, God had sent forth His Son! All of heaven was praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”
Have you experienced that peace? Does His favor rest on you today? This is Christmas, and God’s gift to you is the promise of a Savior! When you receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior from sin, His favor rests on you so you may experience His peace on earth! Merry Christmas! If you haven’t done it yet, it’s time. Open the gift of Christmas and receive Jesus today as your Savior!
We hope to see you today at one of our many Christmas Eve services. Check out www.wc./org for locations and service times.