THE SHEPHERDS

(Part 4 of 4)

“The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'” Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

Merry Christmas! In two days the world celebrates the birth of Christ. Sadly, many people have replaced the story of Christmas with Santa and stuff.

What is Christmas really about? Christmas is about a Savior – “a Savior has been born!” Someone pointed out that God didn’t send us a salesman because we didn’t need a product. And He didn’t send us a politician because we didn’t need more government. He didn’t send a philosopher because we didn’t need more ideas. He sent a Savior because we need Him!  

LET’S TALK

On that first Christmas, this message was first given to shepherds who were considered social outcasts. They were deemed dishonest and unclean according to the standards of the law.

The Bible says that when the angel of the Lord appeared with a glorious light, they were terrified – filled with great fear (Luke 2:9 ESV). It is very possible they believed God was coming to judge them for being such despicable people. But that wasn’t the case. God was bringing redemption, not reprimand!

This is the Good News of Christmas. We have a Savior! We don’t need to be afraid. God has come to save us, not to condemn us (John 3:16-17). 

• We have a Savior to save us from our sin!  

Our Savior’s name is “Jesus” because he will save his people from their sin (Matthew 1:21). We all have sinned, and our sin separates us from God. We can’t earn our way back to God; that’s why we need Jesus. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

This Christmas, if you haven’t trusted in Jesus as your Savior, why not do it now? God is not so concerned about our exact words, but the attitude of our hearts. 

Here is a simple prayer you can pray. 

Dear Jesus, I thank you that you see me just as I am. I confess my sin, and I believe that you are my Savior. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace and through faith—not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. I believe that You died for me and rose again. I give you every part of me now. Please forgive me of my sins. Be my God. Thank you for saving me and giving life, abundant and eternal! In Your name, Amen.

• We have a Savior to save us from our struggles.

The Psalmist cried out, “LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success!” (Psalm 118:25 NIV). Like the Psalmist, we may be saved from our sins, but we need saving in our situation! Salvation is not a past event; it is ongoing: we were saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved. This past year has been filled with suffering and disappointment. God is here to help us and see us through every trial and challenge.

The other day in the Lectio 365 devotional readings, we were asked to reflect on these questions:

• What do I need Christ to come and save me from today?
• Are there situations of injustice I’m facing?
• Are there worries or anxieties weighing on me?
• Is there an area of sin that I need to confess and experience freedom in?

Here is prayer you can pray for your current situation:

Lord Jesus, Save me. You promised to take me through the difficulties of life. In the situations I face that are beyond my control – please save me. In those that are within my control but where I struggle – please save me. Savior, save me. I want you to be the Lord and Savior of every part of life. In your name and to Your glory, Amen.

We all need a Savior. God has provided us with the greatest Savior possible!  He is Christ, the Lord, so we need not be afraid!

BEFORE YOU GO

What are your fears this Christmas? We don’t have to live in fear because we have a Savior! Remember that whatever we are fearing, we can trust God more!