Joy and the Angelic Word

The content of the angels’ announcement is important and is what produces the exultation. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Born – this was not a ghost. This was not a costume. This was a real baby with real flesh and blood. A genuine down to the DNA human being. He was one of us. A Savior – a Savior insinuates somebody is in need of saving and since it says “For unto you is born this day,” it means that we are the ones in need of saving. The rest of the Bible fills in the picture of our moral and spiritual bankruptcy before God, our impending judgment and eternal punishment, our inability to do anything about it. We have real need. Just like a fire station means people need to be saved from fires and jails mean people need to be safe from criminals, the presence of a Savior means there are people needing saving. Us. Christ – means “anointed one.” New Testament term for the Old Testament Messiah. Chosen one. By who? God. Divinely chosen and sent. The source of this salvation is God Himself. Lord – speaks to the majesty and authority of His person. He wouldn’t seem to be Lord of all lying there in the manger but this child is Lord of the universe. Wow. Birth. Savior. Christ. Lord.

When we get what those mean and that He is born “to us,” Christmas becomes personal. As I embrace Him by faith, the by-product is exultation. Joy.

So, Christian, how’s that exultation in the Christ-child going this year? Pastor Steve, I understand it but I am not that excited about it. No. You used to understand it but apparently you have forgotten. What you have likely forgotten is how much we/you need a Savior. It’s like people that drive by a fire station. Most probably hardly notice. Have no real emotions about it. Do things change when your house is on fire? What does the appearance of that shimmering red fire truck feel like? Is there pride and joy in firemen rushing into the fire to save you or your house? They’re here! Yea! What changed? My perception of my need. The more we perceive our need of saving, the happier we are about the Savior arriving. So how’s the exulting this Christmas? Joy to the World the Lord has come.

© 2009 Steve DeWitt. You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author, (2) any modifications are clearly marked, (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, (4) you include Bethel’s web site address (http://www.bethelweb.org/) on the copied resource.