The Merit of Christ's Birth
Bishop Hacker., Bishop Hacker. Luke 2:11 For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. For, as we say of the sin of Adam, the act passed away at the first, but the guilt remains upon his posterity: so our Saviour was born upon one particular day which is passed, but the merit and virtue of it is never passed, but abides for ever. (Bishop Hacker.) 1. Then with reverend lips and circumcised ears let us begin with the joyful tidings of a Saviour. 2. Here's our participation of Him in His nature, natus, He is born, and made like unto us. 3. It is honourable to be made like us, but it is beneficial to be made for us; "unto you is born a Saviour." 4. Is not the use of His birth superannuated, the virtue of it long since expired? No, 'tis fresh and new; as a man is most active when he begins first to run — He is born this day. 5. Is He not like the king in the Gospel who journeyed into a far country, extra orbem solisque vias, quite out of the way in another world? no — the circumstance of place points His dwelling to be near — He is "born in the city of David. 6. Perhaps to make Him man is to quite unmake Him; shall we find Him able to subdue our enemies, and save us, since He hath taken upon Him the condition of human fragility? Yes, the last words speak His excellency and power, for He is such a "Saviour as is Christ the Lord." (Bishop Hacker.) Parallel Verses KJV: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. WEB: For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.