Each year the PROGRESS invites members of the clergy from all of the local churches to provide a Christmas message for publication in our holiday edition. The following is what we received this year. We appreciate all of the local clergy for their great ongoing service to the community and these particular clergy members for their thought-provoking and heartwarming messages.
By DAVID CONSTIEN
Mesquite Lutheran Church
On December 24th, Christmas Eve, we typically remember the Bible’s account (Luke 2:8-12) of the experience of the shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. The Bethlehem shepherds expected it to be a night like most others. But, it would not be a night like most others. Nor would it be boring, for God had a surprise in store. A good surprise on a dark night!
That night, when most of Bethlehem was sleeping, a single angel appeared to those shepherds with the startling announcement, “Fear not! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
So who was this Jesus? What makes him such a perfect gift? The message of the angel to the shepherds spoke of One so great, yet so helplessly small. They would find this “Savior, who is Christ the Lord … wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Lk 2:11-12). That was the miracle of it – that the eternal God could be born! The very Creator of all things became as one of us.
And why do we call him a gift? Why was he given? The angel said it was to be our Savior. Earlier, Joseph had been instructed, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus became the sacrificial offering to atone for the sins of the whole world, so that whoever believes in the saving work of Jesus would receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Of all that the angels said to those shepherds in Bethlehem’s field, not to be lost is the significance of two simple words: “unto you.” For what value does any gift have for you if it doesn’t have your name on it or if it’s not for you? Everything that Jesus did, he did for you. His perfect obedience was for you. His innocent death, his glorious resurrection – all of it was done for you, whoever you are and whatever your situation or station in life might be – this Gift of the Savior is for you. “Unto you is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
