“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” -Luke 2:14

When I was asked to write a devotion on this verse, the first thing that came to mind was my visit to Bethlehem with the church last year. Our group, of course, went to the Church of the Nativity, but we also took a special trip out to the hills close to the town of Bethlehem. This was the presumed area where the shepherds took their flocks to graze. As we were led over to see a few natural caves in the hill, I lagged behind a bit. I sat and then laid down gazing up at the sky, wondering. I have heard this verse since I was a toddler, but it took on new meaning for me that day. The heavenly host, the angels of God created to give Him praise, had burst from the heavens, right where I was looking. They probably couldn’t contain their amazement at what God was doing for us.

These angels praise God all the time but now they were announcing it to men. And not just the ordinary man, but to poor shepherds working the night shift. And what did they say? “Peace.” At that time of Roman oppression and corruption in the priesthood, everyone was looking for a physical peace. Today, don’t we want peace in the world, peace between political parties, peace in our families? But the peace the angels were referring to extends into eternity—the peace that comes through faith by accepting the ultimate Christmas gift, Jesus. That night so long ago, Jesus gave up His glory, humbled himself and came to us as a helpless baby. And all the time knowing His coming was for our eventual going to be with the Father, no longer separated by our sins. That was the heavenly proclamation tied up in just one word—Peace.

It is written, “…peace to those on whom His favor rests.” Every translation is a little different, but this one is closest to the meaning of the original Greek. What does it mean? A friend in my Great Banquet reunion group asked me if I thought that God’s favor rests on me. I believe it does, because He has given me a heart knowledge of His great love for me personally, through the gift of Jesus. I didn’t have to earn this favor or do great things for Him; it was all God’s doing.

So tonight, I hope there is a clear sky and you can look up and see the stars and wander back through time to picture that glorious event and experience the wonder of it all. I hope you will echo the angels and say: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” Then when you go to sleep, rest in the peace that you are favored by God because you have received His gift of Jesus.

“I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus my Saviour did come for to die
For poor on’ry people like you and like I
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.”

-Debbie Bailey