Today – for you!
by Marlene Cooper
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‘I bring you good news that will cause great joy to all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you’ (Luke 2:10,11).
On this holy night long ago, a child was born to Mary. It was ‘Mary’s child, … born in the night’, as the carol goes. But whose child was it? Out in the fields, shepherds heard the angelic messenger announce amid glorious heavenly light and song: ‘Today, in David’s town, a Saviour has been born to you!’ A Saviour! For them! But just for the shepherds? No, when they had seen him, lying in the manger as the angel had told them, ‘they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed’ (verses 17,18).
All who heard it! Down through the ages, the story of the birth of a Saviour in a lowly manger has been passed from one generation to another. A great crowd of witnesses has been gathering, those who by God’s grace have believed that ‘Mary’s child’ was born for everyone, and the angel’s message was for all who would hear it, good news drenching the whole earth with joy, Christmas after Christmas. ‘This child’, they say, ‘is for you too, for you a Saviour, for you the Child of promise, for you, the favour of God!’
We sing an old Polish carol: ‘Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new, saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you! Christ the babe was born for you!’ On Christmas Eve we hear it again, we tell it again, and we share it again with all who come. Swedish Pastor Bo Giertz once shared it in a Christmas sermon: ‘For all who wonder … if Christ is for them too, the word comes: the promise is for you – for you, you, you!’
It is good news, the best news, bringing great joy to the world – a Saviour is born for you, yes, for you too, God’s own Son, Christ the Lord.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray. Fill our hearts with joy and hope as we hear again the good news that you were born for us, born to be our Saviour. Amen.
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