“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 KJV).
Christmas is the day that marks your deliverance from eternal slavery.
After reading many translations of Luke 2:10-11, I wasn’t satisfied. So I wrote my own (smile) based on the literal Greek meaning of the words, and in a modern language that I could understand. If you would, allow me to share with you Luke 2:10-11 from the “The Keith Butler Living Letters” edition.
The angel said (using the Butler translation):
“Don’t be scared. I was told to bring you news that is the bomb. Today in the city of David, the Deliverer, the Preserver, the Messiah, is born to release you from your shackles of slavery. And guess who He is? It’s our Master, Owner, Creator, the One who has supreme authority, who is the anointed One. His name is Jesus.”
I know I’m not a theologian, but I just had to see it in a current language. Jesus is the one that is empowered enough, and the one who loves us so much, He’s willing to deliver us from the bondage of slavery. See, the word redeem means to buy back out of slavery.
You’ve seen the affects of slavery in Africa. People were kidnapped from their homes, chained, beaten, put on ships and sent across the ocean. Many died, and many were murdered as they were thrown overboard to the sharks to lighten the weight of the ship. It did not only happen to the Africans, but there has been slavery in every race of mankind.
But I’m here to tell you that all of the suffering that those people went through does not compare to eternal suffering in Hell. At least their suffering on earth would end when they died.
But suffering does not end in Hell. There is no refuge, no comfort, no place of rest and peace. This is the slavery state for which God had to send a deliverer to release us. It is eternal slavery.
But Jesus came that Christmas morning to set you free. If you receive Him, then you can walk through the open door of salvation. Jesus, the only one who was qualified to do it, kicked open the slave door of sin, and said to you, “Come on, walk out with me.”
And I’m glad He did. We ought to thank God on Christmas, for it marks the day that we were freed from eternal slavery.
Scripture References: Romans 6:23; Ephesians 4:9-10; Matthew 28:18
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).