“And the angel said to them, Do not fear. For, behold, I announce good news to you, a great joy, which will be to all people, because today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born to you in the city of David.” Luke 2:10-11
What do we celebrate here tonight? It is this same good news announced by the angel to the shepherds: “Behold, I announce good news to you, a great joy, which will be to all people, because today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born to you in the city of David.”
We celebrate this message because it is “to all people” in this world ravished by sin. The good news to the shepherds is also good news to you and to me.
And what is that good news? That on that night in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born to you in the city of David.”
In fulfillment of God’s ancient promises, He sent His Son, born of a woman and under the law that He might keep God’s commandments perfectly in our stead and then suffer and die for our sins and the sins of the whole world and rise again in victory (cf. Gal. 4:4-5)!
That is good news for you, for me and for all people because we have a Savior from sin – the long-promised Messiah, the Lord (Jehovah God Himself). And because He came and redeemed us, we have forgiveness for all our sins, peace with God and a place in His everlasting kingdom.
We give You thanks, O God, for the gift of the Son, born a babe in Bethlehem to be our Savior. Grant that we ever hold fast to Him and trust in Him for forgiveness and life. Amen.