Back in the day Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali would walk into rooms and make the announcement, “The Champ is Here!”  This would let onlookers know that he was in the building; not just as a person, but as THE Champ.  The one who defeated every opponent.  The one who was seemingly invincible.  The one who could not be touched.  The Champ.  He wanted his presence to be acknowledged and reverenced by all.  However, history would prove in fact that he could be touched;  not only in boxing, but in life. Now, the once flamboyant, boisterous icon has been silenced.

Silence is what Ancient Israel experienced for hundreds of years before that holy night when Heaven invaded earth and the Angel of the Lord proclaimed to a bunch of humble shepherds:

⁸ In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:¹¹ Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. ¹² This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” (Luke 2:8-12, emphasis mine)

In effect, the Angel of the Lord told a defeated, seemingly hopeless people, “The Champ is here!”

The One whom you have been waiting for.

Your hope.

Your God.

Your Savior.

He has come.  He is here!

That night the words of the prophet Isaiah had been fulfilled:

⁶ For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6, emphasis mine)

The One Israel desperately needed and had been waiting for had come.  Little did they know He would be more than they could ever ask for.

The Apostle John would describe Him as having “Life” and penned these words:

4 Life was in Him,
and that life was the light of men.
⁵ That light shines in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:4-5, emphasis mine)

No darkness, no obstacle, no Pharisee, no Scribe, no Disciple, no Devil could overcome Him.

Why?  Because he’s strong.  Because he’s mighty; and another meaning for the Hebrew word used in Isaiah 9 (gibbowr) is champion.

Jesus the Christ, born of a virgin, the Word made flesh, is Israel’s (and our) champion.  For this reason, no darkness, no obstacle, no mountain, no valley can measure stand against Him.

He conquers.

He reigns.

He wins.

He is victorious.

This Christmas, I invite you to not just see the baby in the manger as “Sweet Baby Jesus,” but that you would see Him for who He is; our Champion.

His advent secured our victory over:

1. Satan (1 John 3:8b)

2. Sin (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)

3. Death (1 Corinthians 15:55)

Let us worship Him. Let us reverence Him. The Champ is here!!!

O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Praising my Champ,

Terry

Check out this song from my friend Tavia Grubbs