For, this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.
οτι ετεχθη υμιν σημερον σωτηρ ος εστιν χριστος κυριος εν πολει δαυιδ
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The angel proclaimed abundant joy, which he indicated would be for all humanity, especially for God's chosen people. However, not every Jew is considered among God's people. Nevertheless, the incarnation of God also brought joy to the entire human race.
“Unto you is born this day ... A Saviour.” It does not state, “A man was born to become a Saviour,” nor “to be made Christ,” but rather, “unto you is born this day ... a Saviour,” who is indeed the Saviour. It does not declare, “who will be made the Christ of the Lord,” but asserts, “who is already Christ the Lord.”
A Savior is born to you in the city of David, who is the Messiah, because His humanity is consecrated with the divine nature, and He is also the Lord as God. This joyful news was not shared with the scribes and Pharisees, for they were not inclined to believe, being evil and filled with jealousy, but was instead revealed to the lowly and humble shepherds, who were eager to follow the path of the ancient patriarchs. Since He came into the world as the Shepherd of His people, it is fitting that the first announcement of His birth should be made to the shepherds.
Listen to the declaration of the angel of the Lord to the shepherds regarding the birth of the Almighty: ‘For unto you is born in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:11). He bestows upon you the title of Lord and Saviour to ensure you perceive Christ not merely as a human, but also to prevent any hesitation in recognizing Him as the God you have come to acknowledge as your Saviour. Given that the act of salvation is solely attributed to divine authority, it is clear that the divine power resides in Him whom you have learned possesses the ability to save. Yet, it might be that these words seem inadequate to your doubt, since the angel referred to Him primarily as Lord and Saviour rather than explicitly as God, or at least as the Son of God. You may even, in a spirit of error, deny that the One you recognize as Saviour is indeed God.
The Messiah was brought into the world in Bethlehem, a city belonging to David, well known to the shepherds. Just the name of the Messiah would have filled the shepherds with immense joy. During that era, the people of Palestine clung to this singular hope, especially meaningful for the impoverished like the shepherds. The wealthy, of course, could not hold it dear in the same way. As we examine the Gospel narratives regarding the conditions surrounding the earthly existence of Jesus Christ, we recognize the shepherds' reverent worship of the incarnate Savior.
The shepherds in Bethlehem were the first to receive the divine message regarding the birth of the Savior of the world. They must have been devout individuals, true Israelites, deeply longing for and anticipating the arrival of the promised Messiah. Often, particularly on serene nights, they would reflect and engage in heartfelt discussions about their sacred hopes under the illumination of the stars. This spiritual practice prepared their hearts to embrace the heavenly news of the Redeemer's birth.
One night, as they tended to their flocks in the fields, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, surrounded by the glorious light of God’s presence. The suddenness and solemnity of this encounter undoubtedly instilled fear within them. Additionally, their awareness of their own unworthiness and sinfulness may have led them to believe, as the Old Testament suggests, that seeing God could lead to death (Judges 13:22). Consequently, they might have perceived this heavenly visitation as a dire sign.
However, the angel comforted them, proclaiming tidings of great joy intended for all people. He then explained the cause for this joy: the birth of the Savior, whom he identified as Christ the Lord (cf. 2:26), occurring in the city of David. These last words served as a reminder to the shepherds of Micah's prophecy (Micah 5:1), which, as noted in Matthew 2:5, had particularly captured the interest of the Jews of that time. The angel discerned the shepherds’ faith and sincere desire to witness this momentous event for themselves, so he provided them with a sign to locate the divine infant: “you will find a child in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
In the stillness of the night, unexpectedly, an angel of the Lord appeared before them, and the radiance of God’s glory surrounded them. This sudden revelation filled them with great fear, yet the angel quickly comforted them, proclaiming, "Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people: for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign for you: you will find the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Upon hearing this marvelous news, without the chance to ponder it, the shepherds witnessed a new wonder that wondrously affirmed the angel's message.
The night sky, once filled with countless stars, was suddenly enveloped in an incredible brightness, revealing a multitude of heavenly beings, as a triumphant song echoed across the slumbering earth, announcing the dawn of a new chapter in humanity's saga: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" In the celestial realm, a solemn worship service unfolded, reminiscent of the rituals performed in the temple of Jerusalem. As the offering was presented on the altar, sacred melodies resounded in three distinct waves, accompanied by the sound of the priests' silver trumpets, forming a perpetual chant of the "Trisagion." The angelic anthem mirrored this structure, capturing the essence of heaven, earth, and the human spirit in its three key phrases. In all of the Old Testament narrative, only once before had a mortal been afforded the privilege of hearing the heavenly chorus. This was when the prophet Isaiah, in a divine vision, glimpsed the glory of the Lord of hosts, surrounded by seraphim who ceaselessly proclaimed, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts! The whole earth is full of His glory" (Isaiah 6:1-3). At that moment, the thresholds shook at the sound of their thunderous proclamations, and the prophet's heart quaked in fear. Now, the angelic melody that filled the simple shepherds with bliss and serenity brought them joy, comfort, and peace.
"Savior": see Lk. 1:68, 71; Matt. 1:21. - "Christ," meaning Messiah; "Lord": this title for the future Messiah was referred to in the Old Testament as early as Luke 23:2 and Acts 2:26.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 12 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS