For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
There are two unusual facts about this title. The first is that it occurs only once in scripture. The second is that it came from a non-human source.
Lots of preachers and hymn writers use the phrase Christ the Lord. That makes sense since it is a title combination of two of the most common names of God’s Son. In the Bible, it is only proclaimed at the birth of the Savior.
This announcement of the Messiah’s birth emphasized the most significant event in human history, or in the history of the universe, for that matter. God Almighty took on human form and even experienced childbirth to be able to reach His fallen creation. It made sense that the angel of the Lord would announce it backed up by a great celestial chorus. The surprising thing was that those who heard the news weren’t the movers and shakers of the world, but poor, cold, and frightened shepherds. The Who’s Who of the world weren’t worthy to receive the announcement that proclaimed a name found nowhere else in the Word of God.
The heavenly messenger proclaimed that Christ the Lord was born. The first part acknowledged that God’s anointed had finally arrived. By calling Him “Lord,” the angel acknowledged that He was the boss and commander-in-chief of every angel present that day.
Christ the Lord is risen on high!
Sing ye heav’ns, and earth reply
He endured the cross, the grave,
Sinners to redeem and save.
– Unknown
December 21
