By Larry Stover

Pastor at Praise Park Ministries Church of the Nazarene

As the season of Advent continues toward Christmas, the celebration begins to center around the “good news” of the angels.

Luke 2:10-11 paints the picture, “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This is the message of Christmas. For people “walking in darkness” they received a message that would bring “joy” to those who would believe that their Messiah had arrived. What made it such an exciting message that still resounds until today?

First of all, it was a very personal message. “Unto YOU is born this day in the City of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.”

That message was not only for the shepherds but for all of us as well who celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ at Christmas. 

Christmas is changing in America. It has become a multi-billion dollar celebration. Streets, homes, and cities are decorated. Parties, gifts, and school programs tend to present Christmas with a very general meaning.

I don’t want to distract from this because it adds to the gratification of the season. It’s great seeing people thinking of others and not just themselves.

I have even heard some of the “Old Grouchy Scrooges” mutter a “Merry Christmas.” The very word “Christmas” tends to melt people with a warmth that melts hardness away.

I also want to focus on the specifics of this celebration. God’s message of joy and excitement has not changed. Matthew tells of the Wise Men who travelled from a great distance in search of this “King of the Jews.”

They were so filled with joy when they found Him that they worshipped Him and presented Him with costly gifts of homage and devotion. 

Secondly, the message from the Angel was a life-changing message. “Unto you is born this day a SAVIOR which is Christ the Lord.” This is the real message of Christmas.

An invitation to a banquet means little to someone who has more than they can imagine, but it means the world to someone who is emaciated with hunger.

To offer a raggedy doll to a child who has more dolls than they can count means nothing, but it would be welcomed by an impoverished child who might have never owned a doll in their life.

Sooner or later, we all need a Savior. Regardless of our social status, level of wealth, political persuasion, or anything else, everyone needs a Savior. 

Jesus came to “save the people from their sins.” That is the very essence and role of the Savior of the world. The big question to be answered by all is, “Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?”

To disregard that questions is to disregard the central focus of Christmas and the Christian celebration that surrounds sit.

People in America are in a spiritual mess today. They hardly know who they are or what they are. Too many are asking themselves, “Why am I even here?”

I believe that some of us are suffering from “spiritual amnesia.” We are so confused about spiritual things that we hardly know what to believe any more.

The message of Christmas is all about people being reconciled to God through Christ.

That reconciliation takes place as we accept Him as our Savior and enter into a daily relationship with the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

When the message of Christmas becomes personal we discover that life is “simply beautiful.”