Fear Not: For You Have Found Favor with God

One year.

For one year, we wait.

Will Joseph remain faithful?

Will I?

It would be so easy to fall.

If only I could know God is pleased with me.

Who is this?

He walks into the room.

“Rejoice, highly favored one.

The Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women.”

How could he say this to me?

Highly favored?

“Fear not, Mary.”

And he says it again . . .

“For you have found favor with God.”

God’s favor poured out on me?

This angel tells me I will have a son.

Not by Joseph.

Or any other man.

He will be the Son of God.

This impossible thing will happen.

I will give birth to the Messiah.

Because He poured out His grace.

On me.

Even me.

Every person who has ever received grace falls under one category: We’re all sinners in need of grace.

Mary knew she was like everybody else.

A sinner.

In need of God’s favor.

But an angel was sent to tell her that she had found favor with God.

He had chosen to pour out His grace, even on her.

In Christ, you and I are also “highly favored.”

The ones who fall into the category of every person who needs grace.

We’re sinners who have found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

The message of Christmas is . . .

FEAR NOT.

Do not be afraid.

For you have found favor with God.

Related Post:

Fear Not: For Your Prayer is Heard

Click here to listen to The Fear Nots of Christmas.