Unto You Is Born This Day a Saviour
Christmas Day. Happy Christmas.
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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”
Reflection
The first words the angel said to the shepherds were: Fear not. Then he brought them good news of great joy that would be for all the people. Weeks later, when his parents brought him to the temple, a righteous and devout man named Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, because he had seen the salvation God had prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for the Gentiles (see Luke 2:25-32). So this good news is for everyone who hears it, wherever they are.
And the heart of the good news is one word: Saviour. We do not only need better advice; we need someone to save us from our sins and reconcile us to God. That is why Christ came at the time God appointed: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
John's Gospel sums up the mystery of this day in a single verse: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
The child in the manger is the same one who would give his life on the cross and then rise from the dead. So Christmas is not the end of the story, but the beginning of the road to the cross and the resurrection. That is why the joy of Christmas stays real joy even in a grieving home or far from home, because the Saviour has come.
If you are hearing this good news for the first time, God does not ask you to understand everything today. Start with an honest question you tell him, and read about this Saviour for yourself in the Gospel.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
A question to reflect on
What does the word “Saviour” mean to you today?
Today's step
Today, read John 1:1-14, and tell God in your own words what touched your heart in it.
Prayer
Glory to you, O God, in the highest, for you sent your Son as Saviour. Lord Jesus, you are the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. Thank you for coming to save us from our sins and reconcile us to the Father. Fill my heart with the joy of Christmas and with your peace. Amen.
Next Step
Would you like to know Christ more? Start here, with calm steps, at a pace that suits you.
Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV).