Freedom in Christ
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:2 NIV
My wife and I enjoy taking our boat out on the local lake over the Fourth of July weekend. Boats are festively decorated with flags and banners, patriotic songs are blaring from boats and shore, people are laughing and enjoying various water activities. As darkness falls, we look to the sky and see an awesome display of fireworks synchronized to music playing over the radio. It is a fine way to celebrate the many freedoms we have in our nation. It is a good time to remind our kids (and now grandkids) how blessed they are to live in our great nation.
The shepherds of old also looked to the sky with great awe when an angel appeared to them with the great news of the freedom they now had through the birth of the Christ Child. “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) The sky was then filled with an awesome display of angels, synchronized in “praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14)
These shepherds recognized with joy that this was the promised Savior come to set them free from the bondage of sin and death. We are told that with joy they “made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” (Luke 2:17-18)
Just as we recognize the blessings of living in a free nation, let us recognize the great gifts of freedom won for us by Christ, and like the shepherds, go and spread the good news of freedom through Christ!
Love caused Your incarnation, Love brought You down to me;Your thirst for my salvation Procured my liberty.O love beyond all telling, That led You to embrace,In love all love excelling, Our lost and fallen race!
The Lutheran Hymnal 58:4