December 30, 2025 | Luke 1:26-33

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DAILY READING

Luke 1:26-33

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REFLECTION

Favor?

By Julie Ogg

“Would you do me a favor?”  The ease with which you respond to this question probably says a lot about the strength of your relationship with the person who asked.  I’m much more likely to respond without qualification if I know the person who asked will not take advantage of me.  This is favor as a noun.  

Favor as a verb implies that you will benefit from preferential treatment.  Life will be easier and more comfortable due to this favor.  “You could see from her regular promotions that Susie was favored at work.”

When the angel visits Mary in Luke 1:28 he announces “Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.” This greeting leaves Mary troubled and wondering.  Our small group had a conversation about the difficulty of Joseph and Mary’s path to bring Jesus into this world.  It does not appear they were favored in our sense of the word.  It seems as though God’s intervention in their lives made things more difficult.  Much of this was prompted by listening to Andrew Petersons’ song “Labor of Love” which describes the journey of their obedience. Drawing closer to God is sometimes avoided out of fear of what He will ask you to do.  Much of our hesitation turns on our idea of favor.  What is favor from God?

When reflecting on the Biblical story you will note that those individuals who were very close to God did not have an easy life.  Noah, Abraham & Sarah, David, Isaiah, Mary, the disciples, the list goes on and on.  God does not promise that a relationship with him will bring material ease and provision (John 16:33).  This material preferential treatment cannot be what the Bible considers to be favor. What God does promise is that His presence will be with us.  We will be accompanied and held.  We will never be outside of His grace, love, and care.  This is the favor of His presence and we can see that the Biblical account is full of God’s demonstration of this favor.  

Christmas is a time when we celebrate the coming of Christ.  God loved us so much that He sent us His very presence so that we could be restored to right relationship with Him.  Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection are all part of giving us another chance to be children of God.  He favors us by offering Himself.  God’s presence and desire to share His life with us is present from the beginning (Genesis 1:27).  It’s embodied in Jesus, Emmanuel - God with us (Matthew 1:23), and is promised in the new heaven and earth (Ezekiel 48:35, Revelation 21:3).  

The entirety of Scripture relates God’s desire to restore relationship with us so that we can be in His presence now and forever.  This is where we become whole.  The angel in Luke 1:28 gives a wonderful definition of the Lord’s favor in his pronouncement to Mary.  He says, “The Lord is with you.”  Remember this promise of presence and do not be afraid.

PRAYER

Father, we are hesitant to fully trust your leading in our lives.  We cannot see your plan so we doubt your wisdom.  Forgive us for minimizing the precious gift of your presence with us every step and your promise that you have overcome the world.  Give us hearts that trust you and courage to follow where you lead.  Thank you for you eternal presence in our lives.  We can’t wait to see you face to face!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JULIE OGG

I have lived throughout the Midwest, the last twelve years in Columbus with my husband, Dan, and dog, Lollipop. I love to cook, travel, read, garden, and spend time with our nieces and nephews. I am naturally drawn to the Old Testament, particularly the poetic and prophetic books. I am grateful to be a part of the community of believers at UALC.