A Savior is Born unto You

Luke 2:11 (KJV) – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

 

Merry Christmas! As you reflect on the most special holiday of the year, your mind may go to these often-repeated celebrated words the angel shared with the shepherds who were watching their flocks that night on the hills outside of Jerusalem. This incredible story provides a beautiful picture and so much to reflect the significance of Christmas and the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Yet, when we hear something so many times, it is easy to forget how special, significant, and important it is.

 

Look at the second and third words in the historic and traditional King James Version of this verse above: “unto you.” Yes, the Greek humin means what to you or unto you means in English. It can convey both direction and benefit. In a sense, these words can seem ridiculous. If a couple has a baby, it would make sense that baby was born to (or KJV “unto”) them. It is now their child. They will be responsible for caring for that child, for raising that child, and for loving that child. As every parent knows, raising a child is a difficult, expensive, and often frustrating job. Yet, few of us want to give our children away because there is a joy beyond measure that comes with that child. So, you can celebrate you neighbors’ new baby and say to them, “Congratulations on the new baby born to you today!”

 

Yet, look again at the angel’s words. That angel did not speak to the parents of the child. The angel spoke to shepherds who more than likely had never met Mary or Joseph and who would not be helping raise the baby Jesus in any respect. Why did the angel say, “Unto you is born…”?

 

The answer to that question is the reason we celebrate Christmas over 2,000 years after that event. The words just before and just after this short phrase give us that answer. In Verse 10, the angel told the shepherds the good news of great joy was for “all the people.” That good news is still good news for us today. As part of humanity, it applies to you me.

 

What is the good news? Verse 11 tells us: The Savior, who is Christ the Lord, is born.

 

A savior is one who rescues others who are unable to save themselves. A lifeguard’s actions can save a child from drowning in a swimming pool. A skilled surgeon can become a savior from an otherwise life-ending heart attack. Those saved could not save themselves. Jesus came as the Savior of all mankind.

 

Another angel told Mary’s husband Joseph what that meant in an appearance before Jesus was born in Matthew 1:21: “He will save His people from their sins.” (NAS) A sin is any action, thought, or motive other than what God would want us to do. Of course, every one of us has intentionally or unintentionally sinned many times. (Romans 3:23) We may think, “It’s no big deal. Nobody’s perfect.” Although that is true that no one except Jesus is perfect, it is an enormous deal because our sins separate us from God forever. (Isaiah 59:2) There is nothing we can do on our own to overcome those sins, but what we could never do, God did for us by sending Jesus. (Romans 5:8) His death and Resurrection on our behalf covered our sins and restored our relationship with God. Yet, like any gift, we must accept it to receive it. When we believe in Jesus, He saves us. (John 3:16)

 

The best news ever is that this Jesus Christ, the Lord, is born to you. When you receive Him as Savior, you get the best Christmas present ever. Merry Christmas!