YOU HAVE FOUND FAVOR
It was Christmas of 2016. My whole family was gathered in the living room distributing brightly wrapped boxes with red ribbons. Honestly, I was a little underwhelmed by the gifts I had purchased that year. Due to my recent wedding, I was beyond broke. Thus, all of my brothers agreed to keep the budget low. My twin brother was uncomfortably excited to give me his tiny-looking present. I ripped apart the bright blue paper covered in snowflakes to expose a beautiful Micheal Kors watch. Honestly, it was the perfect gift for me. Not only do I love watches, but this one was the exact some color as my new wedding ring.
My facial expression went from excitement to embarrassment. My brother had gotten me this insanely thoughtful gift when I had bought him a pair of socks and a half-eaten box of chocolate. He could sense my discomfort, so he assured me that, “I just got that for you because I knew you’d like it and I wanted to bless you.”
Christmas is a clear reminder of the blessings of God. When we think of Christmas, our minds tend to lean towards the materialism of the season. From little rocking horses made by elves to expensive gadgets gathered under the tree to shoppers trampling each other on black Friday. Sure, gifts are great, but we must not let the gifts distract us from the glory. Jesus is proof that God’s greatest gifts aren’t material at all.
READ: Luke 1:30-33
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
When the Angel came to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus, he said that she had found favor with God. “Favor” is a word that we don’t use too often any more. In my old-school church background, I recall people using this phrase all the time. Preachers in well-ironed suits would say things like “God’s favor ain’t fair.” There was a lovely older lady who sang in the choir that told me stories of God’s favor showing up in far-out ways. For instance, she once celebrated getting a front row parking spot at Walmart as “proof of God’s favor.”
What comes to mind when you think of God’s favor? For most people, it’s probably something like finding a twenty dollar bill in their coat pocket, or getting an amazing deal on their dream car, or maybe making an A on a test they thought they bombed. Favor isn’t always a fairy tale though — just look at Mary.
The angel greeted her by saying, “Blessed are you!” However, her life didn’t seem very blessed. From most people’s perspective, her circumstances were actually awful. She was an extremely poor teenage girl that had to explain to her whole community that she was miraculously pregnant. In this culture, this news wasn’t cause to jump around and celebrate. Since she was unmarried, it was a social death-sentence. She was sure to be ostracized, gossiped about, forgotten, and disowned. It didn’t get better either. They were forced out of their city as refugees — fleeing for their unborn child’s life (Matt 2:12-15). There was no room for them in a hotel (Luke 2:7). They had to lay their newborn son in a manger that was used for feeding slop to animals (Luke 2:12).
Mary is in financial shambles, fleeing persecution, and feeling pushed out of society. How can this angel say that she has “found favor?” Because the baby in her belly is going to change the entire universe forever. Mary was more blessed than she could even imagine. She was tasked with raising God in the flesh. Her baby was going to ultimately restore humanity’s relationship with God — Mary’s included.
Sure she had a lot of material problems, but she was experiencing far more spiritual provision. When we look back on her story, we can see God’s goodness all over the place. However, I am sure that was pretty hard to see while traveling through the dessert on the back of a donkey while 39 weeks pregnant. God’s blessings make the most sense when looking back. They’re not always going to look like presents piled under a tree, luxury vacations, big bank accounts, or conventionally-good circumstances. God’s blessings are far more spiritual than material.
TALK IT OUT
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
Q1: What’s your favorite Christmas present you’ve ever received?
Q2: Do you think Christmas celebrations are more spiritual or material for most people? Why do you think that is?
Q3: What are some non-material blessings that God has blessed you with?
Q4: How do you think Mary felt being so blessed spiritually but so challenged circumstantially? Have you ever felt this way?
Q5: Commit to recognizing one non-material blessing from God every day this week and thanking Him for it in prayer.