Silence: Take a moment to get still and ask God to center your heart on him.

Scripture: ⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8-10)

Devotional: When we think of angels in modern times we typically think of sweet, chubby looking babies with rosy cheeks playing a harp. Some of us think of angels such as “Clarence, Angel Second Class” from It’s a Wonderful Life. However, the Scripture never defines them this way.

Almost every time an angel shows up people are terrified! The first words from an angel are usually, “Fear not” because the people are so afraid. It says that the shepherds were filled with “great fear”. They were seeing powerful, angelic creatures who were truly other worldly. They were not seeing fat babies praying harps I can assure you.

When the angels spoke to the shepherds, they made a robust theological statement that we’re going to look at today. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Read what Dr. John Piper has to say about this statement and the truth found within it.

“. . . a Savior . . .” “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.” A Savior. If you have ever sinned against God you need a Savior. The angel said to Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Only God can forgive sins against God. That is why God sent the eternal Son of God into the world, because he is God. That’s why Jesus said, “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Therefore, a Savior was born.

“. . . who is Christ . . .” “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ.” Christ is the English for Christos, which is means “anointed one,” which is the meaning of “Messiah” (John 1:41; 4:25). This is the one long-predicted, long-awaited, the one anointed above all others (Psalm 45:7). The final anointed King. The final anointed Prophet. The final anointed Priest. In him all the promises of God are yes! (2 Corinthians 1:20). He would fulfill all the hopes and dreams of godly Israel. And more, vastly more. Because he is also . . .

“. . . the Lord.” “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The ruler, the sovereign, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father. The Lord of the universe.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6–7).

The angels proclaimed to the world of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The theology of Angels is the theology we must embrace. Let us tell the world what the angels told the shepherds – a savior has been born who is Christ the Lord.

Question: Which title of Jesus do you most relate to – Savior, Christ or Lord?

Action: Spend some time meditating today on all three titles of Jesus. Thank him for being our Savior, Christ and Lord!

Prayer: Jesus, you are our Savior, Christ and Lord. You have rescued us and forgiven our sins. You are the anointed one, the Messiah where all the promises of God find their yes. Not only are you Savior and Christ, but you are also the ruler, the sovereign, the Mighty God and Everlasting Father. This is good news of great joy. Amen.