Luke 2:10-11
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
It’s easy to tune out the familiar words of Luke 2, to hear the sweet voice of Linus from The Charlie Brown Christmas movie or recall recitations from church programs when we were kids. But let’s not miss what is being announced and promised.
The angel announces the birth of a savior from our sins, the one who rescues, ransoms, and redeems us. Jesus came to earth with the express intention of saving, of going to the cross. He bore our sins. He satisfied God’s judgment. He embodies God’s love. He sent His holy Spirit. He called us his own. And he now sits at the right of the father to intercede on our behalf until he returns. Yes, all this is wrapped up in the birth announcement, about a baby boy, to those shepherds. All this is what Isaiah promised and what the Angels are announcing. This is why it is good news of great joy for all the people–it is the declaration of salvation
So we can be free from the guilt and shame that so burden our souls. Our sin has been paid for. Your weariness over carrying sin and failure and shame can be put on Christ. He bore it to the cross, as your savior, and you bear it no more. Not only that, he bore those sins committed against you. Every sin is fully addressed in Christ, either at the cross or in final judgement because, after all, he is the Mighty God and ruler. So you can forgive as you have been forgiven. And you can entrust that pain to Christ. You need not be wearied by bitterness and anger and pain. This savior who is Christ the Lord is your prince of peace.
I originally wrote this post for my church, Immanuel Nashville, in our Daily Pulse email. If you want encouragement from God’s word delivered Monday thru Friday to your inbox, I encourage you to subscribe.