26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God…” — Luke 1:26-30

In this and so many other moments in Scripture, God’s favor is shown through His presence. It’s offered here, too, as the alternative to fear.

Israel carried this mark through the Old Testament — the nations knew they were favored because their God was with them. Cloud and fire. Tabernacle and Temple. Presence as distinguishing grace.

One of my pastors talks about the pendulum that swings between fear and pride — opposites on the same exhausted arc. Inferiority on one side, superiority on the other. We swing and swing and think it will never stop.

But when the pendulum stills… there, in the quiet center, is the absolute, unconditional favor of Jehovah God.

A place to rest. A place where I no longer have to be afraid. A place where I don’t need to puff myself up or prove my value.

He is all in all. From Him and through Him and to Him are all things.

Ted Loder puts words to the invitation

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May I be attentive enough to listen as You call me out of the tomb of my timidity into the chancy glory of my possibilities and the power of your presence.

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I know that tomb — the sort of death that comes from fear and shame. And yet You call me out, the way Jesus called Lazarus out, into the warmth of Your presence, into faith, into all the possibility you hold for me — for us — right there in Your favor.

Added December 24, 2025 11:30 AM (EST) —

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors. — Luke 2:14

This is the song of the heavenly hosts sung to the shepherds that’s also ringing in my heart this Christmas Eve.

The invitation is to let the pendulum still. Believe in and experience His presence.

Immanuel.