Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14
Heavenly Father, what a joy to begin this day confronted with the full-bore wonder and consummate riches of the gospel. I must take a marination moment… “peace to men upon whom his favor rests.” God’s favor, welcome, delight, acceptance, smile, affection… resting on rebellious, self-absorbed, idolatrous men.
It’s all right there in this one doxological declaration… this sudden angelic proclamation… this gospel-infused affirmation—everything my heart longs for, and more than I could have ever hoped for or imagined. O, the joy of knowing that you’re at peace with me and that I have your favor permanently resting upon me… all because of what you’ve done for us in Jesus.
Father, if unredeemed angels were in awe of such good news, how much more should we be staggered and astonished… humbled and grateful… liberated and transformed?
We invest so much of our lives looking for favor—wanting to be wanted… longing to be celebrated… . seeking to be acceptable. Personally, I’ve looked to people and work… education and exercise… money and things… even to spiritual disciplines and ministry, to give me what you alone give us freely and fully in the gospel.
What a freeing paradox, Father… the more we come alive to the riches of the gospel the less we obsess about our own lives—our past and our future… our brokenness, needs and plans. Your grace doesn’t lead us to think either more of ourselves or less of ourselves. We just end up thinking about ourselves less often. How liberating.
Lord Jesus, as we listen again to this old host of angels declaring your glory and your grace, may it drive us into a fresh worship of you this very Advent season. It’s only because you submitted to the fullness of God’s disfavor for us that we can even imagine, must less boast of having the fullness of God’s favor resting on us. We praise, honor and adore you. We will not look at your cradle without gazing at your cross. So very Amen, we pray, in your holy and loving name.