Favored
I never tire of celebrating Christmas. Throughout the season, I often reflect on when my children were young. Their excitement and anticipation for their gifts were so great that we had to wait until Christmas Eve night to put their presents under the tree. My husband and I thoughtfully chose each gift to convey our love, and the kids quickly came to expect to find exactly what they wanted and needed under our tree. Our four children, after all, are our favorite children in the whole world; they are ours, and we know them each uniquely and wholly. Their favored status is the same as we hold as God’s children.
For our family, Christmas morning officially begins with reading the story of Jesus’ birth found in Luke 2. As we pass the Bible around and each read a portion, I try to picture that indescribably glorious scene when the heavenly hosts—multitudes of God’s angelic army—filled the sky and proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14 NIV). It was, and still is, good news that causes great joy.
… and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:7-14 NIV)
When Jesus was born, praise to God erupted in the highest heaven. A multitude of angels, too large to be counted, gave glory to God for the miracle He had performed and for His way of salvation and reconciliation that was being realized in the person of His son, Jesus. The angels also heralded the arrival of peace to the earth, proclaiming this benefit as evidence of God’s favor resting on mankind.
Oh, how I need and want God’s favor to rest on me! I desire for Him to look favorably on me always and to deal with me as His favored child. For me and many of His children, however, it often feels like we have fallen out of favor. The hardships and heartaches of life can make us feel as if we are forgotten instead of favored. It is easy to disregard Scriptural evidence of God’s favor resting on us when our earthly circumstances overwhelm us.
But that is not what God’s Word tells us, and that is not what the Christmas story proves to be true. The birth of Jesus was evidence of God’s faithfulness to His plan to redeem the world. Christmas was proof in the form of the Christ-child that had been born that God’s favor rested on mankind. From that moment, there has not been a single minute we have had to endure being forsaken by God, forgotten, unloved, or anything other than being God’s favored child. Emmanuel came to earth, God with us—always.
It is an awesome opportunity to have the favor of God rest on us. This goes far beyond a lucky day, good timing, or experiencing fleeting moments when all is well in our world and in our souls. God’s favor resting on us is heavy like a wet fleece that covers us completely and is not easily dislodged, no matter how strong the storms that blow into our lives. As God’s children, we are privileged to live under His blanket of favor that is proven by His abiding presence.
This Christmas, I pray that peace floods your heart and life as you realize and recognize God’s favor resting on you. No matter what circumstances surround you or storms blow against you, I pray that the favor of God is heavy enough for you to feel it inspire you to rejoice in the peace that His presence brings.