And the angel said to them --
… "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”(Luke 2:10-11)
What an announcement! From the beginning of human history, mankind had waited for the fulfillment of the promise given in the Garden of Eden concerning a Savior who would defeat the power of the Deceiver --
… “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”(Gen 3:15 NASB)
Centuries had passed, yet the promise stood firm. When the nation Israel was born, every Israelite woman yearned to be the vessel through which Messiah would come into the world. The right time, God’s time, had now come, and it was heralded to humble shepherds --
… “And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”(Luke 2: 9 - 14 NASB)
Yes, the reason for this season is the marvelous gift from the Heavenly Father of the Savior, the uniquely born Son of God. He loved us, and therefore we are able to share in that love through simple faith in the fact that the Savior came into this world, that He might bore our sins in His own body and provided salvation. No wonder the angels of heaven sang in joyous chorus. God had come into human history to redeem mankind and reconcile man to Himself. The words of Israel’s prophet spoken over five hundred years earlier had come true --
… “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”(Isa 7:14 NASB)
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.”
(Isa 9: 6 - 7 NASB)
May this season of the year cause us to share in the joy of giving, in the joy of sharing with those around us the love of Christ. Remember --
… “we love, because He first loved us.”(I John 4:19 NASB)