And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

We know the story well. Some shepherds in a field, the angel of the Lord, and the announcement of news that a baby has been born in a nearby town. But there is more to the story than we may see at first glance.

Rather than bringing a message of dread and fear, which would be appropriate when the glory of the Lord appears, the angel of the Lord brings a message of joy. When Jesus was born, the best word to describe what happened was joy. But this was no ordinary joy. The angel said, “I bring you good news of great joy.” Jesus came to bring a joy the world had not yet known. The Greek word for great is megas – where we get our word mega. Jesus didn’t come to bring mini joy or moderate joy. He came to bring mega joy; great joy!

What makes this news so good that it is described as great joy is seen in how Jesus is described. He is described as Savior, Christ, and Lord. Each of these increases and intensifies the joy of his coming.

He is Savior. Jesus is the One who comes and saves his people from their sins (Matthew 2). He’s the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 2). He has come to give repentance to Israel and the forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:31). Jesus is the only Savior in whom salvation is found (Acts 4:12). The good news of great joy is – he’s come!

He is Christ. Jesus is the Christ, the long awaited Messiah - who was the fulfillment of all the hopes and longings of the Jewish people. The Messiah would be a Ruler (Micah 5:2) freeing his people from the oppression of all their enemies. He would establish the Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:17) and extend his kingdom without end (Isaiah 9:7). The message from the angels was, “Rejoice, this Messiah has come!”

He is Lord. Jesus is Lord. Lord is a name given to God describing him as the eternally, self-existent, sovereign of the universe. This Savior and Messiah is none other than God himself – the Lord! The baby born in a manger is God in the flesh. He did not leave the salvation and hope of the world up to another; he came to accomplish it himself.

All of this is gloriously true and truly good news of great joy. But it must be embraced personally and experienced personally through faith in Christ. The angel of the Lord said to the shepherds that this Savior, Christ, and Lord had been born “unto you.” The shepherd’s response was awesome! They “went with haste” to see the things the angels had told them. Hurry, don't wait for another second - rejoice, celebrate, shout with all exuberance in your Savior, Messiah, and Lord Jesus Christ!