“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 NKJV
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8 NKJV
Being curious, I wondered what those shepherds were doing out there with their sheep in the middle of the night. Dr. James Davis, Greek professor at Bob Jones University, helped unravel the mystery. Those shepherds had to guard the sacrificial lambs, because they had to be “without spot or blemish.” And the shepherds’ job would ultimately end.
Dr. Earl Radmacher, editor of the Nelson NKJV Study Bible, wrote: “Many lambs without blemish … were offered as part of the Old Testament sacrificial system (see Leviticus 23:12; Numbers 6:14; Numbers 28:3).”
“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” Luke 2:9-18 NKJV
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel…” Micah 5:2 NKJV
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 NKJV
And Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Good Shepherd.” – “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so 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 will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.” John 10:11-18 NKJV
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV
“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:40 NKJV
” And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52 NKJV
The Baby celebrated at Christmas time, is the Christ who lived, preached, taught, was betrayed, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures … and He has promised to return.
His most famous quote is for you and me: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NKJV
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV
Admit you’ve sinned. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Go tell it on your mountain: Jesus Christ was born, and He is alive. Let’s celebrate Jesus – Christ the Lord!