BLESSINGS OF THE SAVIOUR BORN

“For there is BORN to you this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord” – Luke 2:11

There are hardly any blessings comparable to the BLESSINGS of the SAVIOUR BORN: “For there is BORN to you this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk.2:11) The angel of the Lord brought to the shepherds: “good tidings of great Joy which will be to all people” (v.10b). A multitude of the heavenly host then joined the angel in “praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (vv.13b-14). The Blessings of the Saviour born include: Great Joy, Glory to God, Peace and Goodwill!

Our Saviour was born on a Real Day: “For there is born to you this DAY” (v.11a). It happened on a day in history; not a day in some mythological past; a day ordained in eternity before the world’s creation. The entire universe was created and made glorious for this day and what it means for human history: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Col.1:16). For this day of His appearing: “when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Gal.4:4).

Our Saviour was born in a Real City: “in the city of David” (v.11b). It happened in Bethlehem, not in Utopia or in a galaxy far away (v.4). Bethlehem, six miles from Jerusalem, was where Jesse lived, the father of David, the great king of Israel. Micah prophesied of this city: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Mic.5:2).

In the euphoria of the Christmas season, it’s easy to forget that the chief Blessing of this Day is SALVATION: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a SAVIOR”! The angel said to Joseph, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Mt.1:21). Only God can forgive sins against God. That is why God sent His eternal Son into the world, because He is God. That’s why Jesus said, “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Mt.9:6; Mk.2:10). Our Saviour is CHRIST – the Messiah (Jh.1:41; 4:25) – the long-predicted, long-awaited, Anointed One: “You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (Psa.45:7). He is the final anointed King, Prophet, and Priest: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2Cor.1:20).

The LORDSHIP of JESUS is another Blessing of His Birth. Our Saviour is also the LORD: “who is Christ the Lord” (v.11b). He is the Ruler, Sovereign, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Lord of the Universe: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isa.9: 6-7a). The Saviour born is the Lord of all lords and King of kings!

Christmas is about: a day in real history; a city in a real world; the Saviour Who takes away all our sins and guilt; the Messiah-Christ Who fulfils all our hopes; and the Lord Who defeats all our enemies, and makes us safe and satisfied forever. We have a great Saviour, Jesus, the Christ, the Lord, born to save us from our sins! Christmas is about GOD WITH US: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us” (Mt.1:23).