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 2:13–14
Heavenly Father, some culinary delights are to be slowly relished, not consumed as a quick snack. The Gospel is the most exquisite of delicacies deserving unhurried, heart-palate savoring. There’s no way to calculate the worth of this declaration, “peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
It’s more than we could ever expect, way more than we deserve, exponentially more ours than we realize. Through Jesus’ finished work, we now live in your full, permanent, unwavering favor. The rest of Advent/Christmas 2020, make this more real to us than anything else.
By his death, Jesus took our disgrace; and by his resurrection, you have given us your grace-upon-grace delight. What a bodaciously glorious exchange.
We invest tons of heart-energy seeking favor—wanting to be desired, known, and loved. Our spouses, friends, children, “dates,” and bosses feel the pull of our relational cravings. But mere people cannot possibly fill the void, meet the need, or “cover the cost” of our intimacy-hunger.
But—Oh, glorious but, in Jesus we are fully known and completely loved. He is the “joy of every longing heart”—including each of our hearts. Hallelujah, and so very Amen we pray, in his lovely and loving name.
