When Jesus the Christ was born to Mary, the Angel of the Lord announced to the frightened shepherds in the fields:
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10 – 11
This Bible verse is filled with the Lord’s great promises and truths.
- “good tidings [good news] of great joy”
What the Angel told the lowly shepherds was GOOD NEWS. It portended great joy! The word “Gospel” means “good news.”
- “which shall be to ALL people”
This good news was for ALL people.. Not just the Jews, not just a chosen few – but to ALL people.
- “a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”
This Person who was born into the world is the Saviour – the Christ [the anointed Messiah] the Lord [the Supreme Authority], the Messiah who had been prophesied and for Whom all Israel was looking.
Please notice Jesus was not described here as a Great Leader [even though He is], not as our Example [even though He is], He is not a probation officer nor a law giver nor enforcer – but He is described as the SAVIOR, the One who saves.
Because of God’s absolute perfection is in direct opposition to our sin, we are at irreconcilable odds with God. The result of sin is spiritual death (separation from God). Thus we are all guilty and need the Savior — if we ever expect to go to Heaven — to have eternal life – to be with the Lord eternally. Jesus Christ is the only One who can reconcile us to God the Father.
Jesus is the Son of God in the flesh, the only Savior, who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose from the grave and is alive today proving Himself to be Whom He claimed, the Infallible, reconciling Savior.
Some erroneously believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is infallible. No, she is not at all – because the Bible says she, just like anyone else, needed a Savior, having been told by the Angel :
“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest [Supreme God]: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:31-33
“… Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:46-47
Rejoice with us in this season when we celebrate the time when God Himself, Jesus the Savior visited our earth, died for us on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead. Jesus himself pleads with everyone — as we see in the most well known verse in the Bible:
Jesus says:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth [trusts] in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Please put your eternity in trust with Jesus Christ, the Savior, the Only Trustworthy One. Believe in Him alone as your Savior.
WHAT A SAVIOR!!!
We pray this will be your best Christmas season ever.
In Jesus Christ eternally,
Jack and Shirley
Notes From A Retired Preacher 
And David, y’all have a blessed Christ centered Christmas too.
In Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
This article just warmed & blessed my heart bro. Jack! The darker & more sinister this world becomes, the brighter His Light shines in our hearts! (2 Co.4:6f). God bless you & Merry CHRISTmas my dear brother!
AOW,
How did your students do? Are they all believers in Christ?
Could you publish some of the best?
In Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
Bob,
I agree that the world is being set up for the antichrist.
But we who have trusted Christ know how it all comes out — we win!!
In Jesus Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
This past Wednesday, my middle-school students turned in an analytical paragraph on the faith of the shepherds. Preparation for the assignment was reading the KJV passage from Luke and a chapter from Lew Wallace’s Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ. The simplicity of faith required to accept our Savior was the focus of the students’ paragraphs.
What a great article on our Saviour!! Thank you.
I feel the world is gradually being set up to receive a false Christ, however. But I am glad that any individual who personally calls on the Christ of the Bible can know true forgiveness and peace.