A Savior

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

CONSIDER THIS

One sentence to change the world. 
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Today. Right now. Not sometime down the road. Not with the hope of long-awaited prophecy to be fulfilled. Now. The angels were declaring the in-breaking reality that their Messiah and Savior had been born.

 This one, life-changing sentence, was the majestic message of the angels, accented with the light of the very glory of God. A message so powerful, that it left the shepherds trembling and, simultaneously closed the gap on generations of darkness. 

And to leave no question about what is unfolding, when I’m sure those hearing were surprised or confused, the angels made sure to clarify exactly what was happening. With no minced words or room for interpretation, the angels announce that a child has been born. And that child was the Savior of the world, their long-awaited Messiah, and Lord. 

One child, two very different gifts born into the world. 
And to make sure that we don’t miss the significance of this moment, we have to recognize the gift that has been given to us by these two different, but complimentary characteristics of the Christ Child.

The angels announced the Savior of the world, the Messiah had come. 
A Savior is quite literally, one who saves. If a savior has come, that means they’ve come to save us from something. As we mentioned a few days ago, the birth of a Savior declares a need for salvation.

The darkness of sin had clouded creation from the earliest moments. When humanity chose its way over a life of trust, worship, and obedience to God, we chose a life of eternal darkness. With no way to rescue ourselves, our only hope would be for God to make a way and break through the darkness with incredible light. For the darkness to leave, a Savior would be necessary. Particularly, the death of a Savior would be required. The elimination of darkness would require death. 
 
But the reign of the Lord—that establishes light. Eternal light.

Lordship requires rule and reign and a people who will follow its leading.

Lordship lives in worship and gratitude of the one who reigns.

One pays for sin and death, eliminating the darkness. One welcomes in light as it rightfully sets right what was undone, returning all things to the order of worship, trust, and obedience to God alone. 
 
One remedies the consequences of choosing sin.

One returns order to its original intent—before sin was chosen.

One (a Savior) requires our repentance. The other (a Lord) requires our joyful, ongoing submission.

One gift to restore what’s broken and another to redeem the consequences of it. 

As we receive the announcement of the angels with awe and trembling wonder of its in-breaking reality, this light of Christmas is truly the good news that the angels promised as it ushers in our Savior and Lord. 
This Advent, as we prepare these final days of his arrival, may we be ready to receive him as both our Savior and our Lord.

THE PRAYER

Almighty God, we are in awe of your in-breaking glory and the way it moves in on darkness with such power and earth-shattering promise. We praise you for entering in to remedy and reset what has gone so horribly wrong. For the Savior and Messiah we need, given so generously for our sake, we share our adoration and overwhelming gratitude. Hear our hearts of repentance that recognize our desperate need for you. And, with that gratitude, hear our adoration and submission to you as our Lord.  We know that it is only by the gift of both your salvation and your reign that we can know the glory of your light.  As we edge ever so closely to that glorious day, of your forever reign, help us to live as if you already are. For, we recognize that by your life, death, and resurrection, you’re already on the throne. In Jesus’s name, amen.

THE QUESTION

As we hear the news of God’s glorious light, breaking into our darkness, and hear defined exactly who the Christ Child is, take some time to consider who he has been to you. Though I assume that those invested in reading the Wake-Up Call have entered into the life-changing relationship of repentance and redemption in Christ Jesus, I would be remiss in overlooking the opportunity to say, have you found Jesus to be your Savior? Has he eliminated the darkness of sin and death in you by your repentance and his forgiveness? Because sometimes, we can live a lifetime declaring Jesus as our friend, our source of hope, and intercessor in prayer but have neglected the basic and essential need for his forgiveness. 
 
If the angels declare that Jesus is Savior, Messiah, and Lord, where does the Lord need to reign in you? Where do you need to return things to the rightful place of joyful submission to Christ, the return to his way of doing things? Is there a darkness you’ve held onto that needs to be brought into the light of surrender your Lord?

THE HYMN

Now, this song, in this moment, may come with some controversy. Some people say that this song should be reserved for Christmas morning. Others say, it’s a song of Advent, declaring the coming return of Jesus as Lord and King. As we sing that beautiful Christmas song, “Joy to the World,” I’ll let you decide for yourself. 
From Our Great Redeemer’s Praise, page #201.

For the Awakening,
Sarah Wanck

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