A Savior Has Been Born to You!

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:8-11).

You may recall that after receiving the Ten Commandments directly from God the second time, Moses’ face shone so brightly it scared the Israelites. “So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him” (Exodus 34:30).

This angel giving the good news to the shepherds also had the glory of the LORD shining about him. Apparently, being in the presence of God has a very illuminating effect. John gives us a glimpse of just how bright the glory of God will be in heaven. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 21:23).

Someday, when we get to be in the presence of the Lord, we will experience this firsthand. In the song “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe, they present the question: What will you do when you stand before Jesus? “Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?”

What will you do in the presence of the Lord? Have you made your eternal retirement plans? Jesus tells us there is only one way to heaven. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).“Nothing impure will ever enter it (heaven), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life” (Revelation 21:27). Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life?

The good news shared with the shepherds that night is just as good today. The angel’s message was that “a Savior has been born to you.” Yes, He was born to you! Jesus is Christ the Lord, the Savior of the world. If you have accepted Him as your Savior, you have nothing to fear.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for making a way for me to get to heaven. I know You paid the ultimate sacrifice to make that available to me. Lord, I don’t know how I’ll act when I stand before You in heaven; at this point, I can only imagine. This I do know: I have nothing to fear because a Savior was born to me. In Jesus name, amen.