A Saviour for us!

Luke 2:1-14

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. 4 So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. 5 He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

8 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." 13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: 14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Food for thought!

Life is not about Advent only; there's life beyond Advent. Life is not about waiting only; it is also about arriving. Life is not only about giving; it is also about getting . We have been waiting for Christmas, and now Christmas is finally here. As the First Reading puts it,

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of intense darkness and the shadow of death, upon them has the Light shined. ...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.”

I know that some of us are always living in Advent, in waiting, in expectation, in darkness. Yes, for some poeple life is a constant night that knows no dawn; for some people life is lived under the shaddow of death. It is to such people that the angel makes this announcement tonight: “Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A SAVIOR has just been born in David's town, a SAVIOR who is Messiah and Master.”

Please, note the angel’s words. “I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide.” This everybody includes YOU and ME; it means all people. We are all included in the joy of Christmas.

I want you to notice what the Angel is calling Jesus: Savior! The angel is not calling Jesus a mere example or a teacher, or but a Saint but a Savior! If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent a banker, if our greatest need had been economy, God would have sent an economist, If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent an entertainer. If our greatest need had been military, God would have sent a general. If our greatest need had been for justice, God would have sent a judge. But, our greatest need was forgiveness and redemption, and, therefore, God sent a Savior! Yes, Jesus has come to save you and me.

The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master."