Luke 2:10-11
And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
So, what does this joy mean for us? What makes it great?
This joy, proclaimed by God through the Angel, is intended for all people - everyone.
Jesus was great in Israel, and He has three titles that concern every person:
The Angel announced that the Savior was born! What do we need saving from? What do we need rescue from? If we needed saving from war, a great commander would have been born. If we needed saving from epidemics, a great doctor would have been born. If we needed saving from poverty, a great benefactor would have been born. If we needed saving from boredom, a great actor would have been born. But who was born?
John 1:29
On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
The Lamb of God came to save us from sin! On Christmas cards, we often see little lambs and a baby, and we look at them with tenderness. But for a Jew, an lamb was seen as a sacrifice - a future sacrificial animal. This was the society of that time, educated by the Mosaic law. For our world, the main problem is sin. And the shepherds saw among the sheep the Lamb of God, who was sent to atone for all sin. Christ is the Lamb of God who shed His blood for us, offering Himself as a sacrifice for us.
The Angel proclaimed that Christ was born, meaning Anointed by God - chosen by God and sent into the world. We can read how God chose kings in Israel:
1 Samuel 10:1
Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not that Jehovah hath anointed thee to be prince over his inheritance?
This is God's choice. God does not make mistakes in choosing. Jesus, born in a manger, is the promised Christ, sent by God Himself. Jesus, later on, did not proclaim His dignity as the Christ loudly; He wanted each person to recognize and accept Him as the Messiah. He asked Peter about it:
Luke 9:20
And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God
Moreover, Jesus warned the disciples and us not to be deceived by impostors, of whom there were many after the ascension of Jesus Christ, and there will be more in this world.
Matthew 24:4-5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray.
The Angel says that the Infant born is the Lord, the Master - the highest form of greatness and dominion. Emperors of that time built their power on slavery, fear, deception, and bribery. The earthly laws they established and continue to establish are often unjust. But in Christ Jesus, everything is perfect. His dominion is affirmed by love. Without Jesus, a person can only tremble before God. But in Christ, through His Sacrifice, we have reconciliation with God. The Lord is the One who rules over us. He is the Shepherd.
John 10:11-18
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep. He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth (them): (he fleeth) because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father.
The Infant born in the manger is the Son of God, the Lamb of God, Christ, the Lord who reigns with God's love.
Is Jesus the Lord of your life? Are you following Him? If yes, this is a day of great joy in your life. And if not, for everyone else - the call is to accept Him now!