The Savior Is Born!

*my apologies for never getting a post written for yesterday. It was a bit of a crazy day!

Luke 2:1-21

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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 Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
               “Glory to God in the highest,
                              and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

In July, our first daughter was born. Yes, I cried when I first heard her, and then when I saw her, and then when I got to hold her. A little bit later, I got to press the button that plays a lullaby throughout the hospital to let everyone know a baby was born. As Brahms Lullaby played, I was beaming with joy. The whole hospital knew that a precious life had entered the world.

When Jesus was born, all of heaven rejoiced. An angelic host proclaimed the Christ, the Savior had been born in Bethlehem. The host appeared to a group of shepherds, who didn’t have the highest place in society. These shepherds wasted no time to examine the news, and found it to be true. Jesus, the Christ, had been born. They praised God and they told everyone what they’d heard. They couldn’t help it! This was good news for everyone, and they had to share this joyous news!

The good news about Jesus, who saves His people from their sins, demands to be shared. Not out of begrudging duty, but out of overwhelming joy. Christ has come to set us free. He died for our sins and rose for our justification, that we might walk in new life, knowing Him and knowing God. Hallelujah! Spread the news this Christmas!