Daily Reading: Luke 2:10-14:
“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.”
The reason for the season is the birth of the Messiah, who came to take away our sins, defeat death, and offer everlasting life to all who believe. If there was any other way, Jesus wouldn’t need to come, live among us, suffer and die a criminal’s death for our sins, but it was the only way, and Jesus was willing and so was God our Father. It is a simple foundational truth of the Christian faith but it is so powerful and it reveals the Truth that God is love.
Matthew 1:23 states: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). God will be with us forever from now on, which means the sins of those in Christ will not separate a believer from their heavenly Father.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” There is no need to have fear the Savior is here/has come (Luke 2:10). You don’t have to have fear in your life because Jesus has entered your world.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests (Luke 2:14). Peace on earth was the baby Jesus himself on earth (Micah 5:5). So, when you hear- "my wish for Christmas this year is peace on earth"...God’s peace with mankind already came and it is only available through Jesus. That is why it says- “to those on whom His favor rests” because permanent favor of God forever is for those who are in Jesus (Luke 2:14). What does the favor of God look like? It looks exactly like Jesus. God’s favor and Jesus the Savior are synonymous.