“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.’”
Luke 2:10–11

There is one more aspect of the angel’s message of good news that we want to focus on. The angel announced that the Savior born in the city of David is “Christ the Lord.”

“Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning “anointed one” or “chosen one.” This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Mashiach, or Messiah. Jesus is our Lord’s given name as a man, revealed to Mary by the angel (Luke 1:31). Christ is His title, signifying that He was sent from God to be a King and Deliverer (Isa. 32:1; 61:1; Dan. 9:25–26).

The angel went on to declare that He is “Christ the Lord.” While lord was often used as a term of respect in that day, when applied to the Lord Jesus it carries a far greater meaning. In Acts 2:36, after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, Peter proclaimed, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” But what we learn from the announcement to the shepherds is that even while lying in a manger, Jesus is Lord! His Lordship is eternal.

The prophet Isaiah saw the “Lord… high and lifted up” (Isa. 6:1), and John refers to this event in John 12:41, saying, “These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.”

The Lord Jesus is Lord over creation, demonstrated when He calmed the storm—the winds and waves knew exactly whose voice they were obeying. He is Lord over history as the “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Rev. 22:13). He is Lord in the realm of death, resurrection, and glory (Phil. 2:9–11). He has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). He is Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5). He is “our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 1:4). He is, in fact, the Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14).

But how amazing it is that we see His Lordship even at His birth!

Jesus is Lord. But the question each of us must ask is: “Is He my Lord?” Am I surrendered to His Lordship in my life?

Romans 10:9–10 declares, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Anchor For Today:
He is God the Saviour, He is Christ the Lord,
Ever to be worshipped, Trusted and adored.
~ Caroline Noel