The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:10-12
The angels tell the shepherds not to be afraid because they bring good news. They bring good news of great joy because a savior has been born. They tell the shepherds how they can recognize their savior – he will be wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
The gift of Jesus is the gift of a Savior. That can sound a bit offensive. Needing a Savior implies that we don’t have it all together, that we need help. However, just a little reflection and a little dose of reality can remind us that we all need saving from bitterness, anger, ingratitude, self-centeredness, fear, guilt, and pride. These are human problems that cannot be solved with human solutions. We need a divine Savior who is Christ and Lord.