December 25, God’s Favor

Today’s reading: Psalms 121-125

“Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers” - Psalm 125:4-5.

The words of the psalmist in these verses are vaguely reminiscent of the words the angels said to the shepherds on the night Jesus was born: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). The Lord’s favor was on Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi, who were all upright in heart, while God relegated evil Herod to irrelevance, after he tried everything possible to destroy Jesus, who he perceived (correctly) as a rival to his throne. Part of God’s favor is His guidance, and on one hand, God showed each character in the Christmas story exactly what they were supposed to do through various messengers: the shepherd’s angels, Caesar’s decree for a census, Joseph’s dreams, and the Magi’s star. On the other hand, Herod rejected God’s directive to worship Jesus, and instead tried to wipe Him out. What does God’s favor on your life mean to you? Are you obeying God’s guidance through the means He has chosen to use? Take some time to read the Christmas story in Luke 2 and Matthew 1 and 2 today, looking for examples of God’s favor that you can apply to your life right now. Lord, I thank You for Jesus and the story of His birth. You loved mankind so much that You sent Your Son to reconcile us to You. I rejoice today in Your goodness and I pray that I may live the reality of the Christmas story not just today, but every day. Help me to take the joy I have today and live it throughout the year!