Advent StudySample

We often champion those who are first to achieve something or the best at a particular activity. You don’t often see a Grammy given to someone who is “just OK” at singing or an Olympic medal awarded to someone who is “average” at sports. We champion and celebrate those who are excellent, intelligent, elite. Because we are so keenly aware of excellence, we often think God has a penchant for the same. If we can “make ourselves great,” we might earn His favor … but often, this puts us on the path of striving and shame.

The shepherds represented a tier of society who were uneducated and often disregarded. How ironic for this to be the group to whom the Angel of the Lord appeared. There were scholars, priests and kings available – yet God chose to look upon the ones that no one was looking at. In reality, the news of the Messiah was good news for all people (including the shepherds), and is still good news today! There is nothing we can do to disqualify ourselves from the good news of the Gospel, and we can have peace knowing we don’t have to achieve a certain status to earn God’s favor or love.

Do you ever feel as though you must strive or be good enough to earn God’s favor? Surrender those feelings to Him today.

Prayer: God, thank you for seeing me and my mess and still choosing to love me. Thank you for the Gospel; it is good news for me today!