Advent Reflection: Peace to Those on Whom His Favour Rests

Peace to those on whom his favour rests.
하나님이 기뻐하신 사람들 중에 평화로다
平安归与他所喜悦的人。

What an amazing phrase – “peace to those on whom his favour rests.” This phrase strikes me each time I read it. The fact that I am one of those on whom God’s favour rests. You are one of those on whom God’s favour rests.
 
I can’t even begin to unpack what it means to be the recipient of God’s favour. So instead, let’s read this scripture and let it speak. And I’m going to ask you to read it out loud – actually speak the words and listen to what they mean. Listen to what the Spirit is saying to us this advent season, as we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus.
 
Luke 2:8-21
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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.”
 
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
 
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

God’s richest blessings on you this Christmas season.
성탄절에 하나님의 풍성한 축복이 여러분과 함께 하시기를 기원합니다.
在圣诞节节期愿 神丰盛的祝福与你同在。