1. What does it mean that God favors man?

Man was the Hallmark of God’s creation.

• All of creation was made so that mankind could see the beauty and magnitude of God’s power and authority

All of this hung in the balance as God and man worked out their relationship.

• God chose man
• Man chose himself

And yet, God favored him enough that he makes a way for their relationship to be restored.

• Galatians 4:4; 1 John 4:9 NIV 

God sent his very best wishes to mankind.

The angel had come to bring “Good news.”

• Encouraging news
• Life-altering news
• News that the O.T. Prophets had written about

1. The town of David: Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4 NIV
2. A Savior has been born…to you

• A fact based upon taking part in or saw going on

What was it like for the angel to see his Creator come to Earth and be born in human flesh?

And he knew that this birth was to show God’s favor.

Thousands upon 10 thousands of angels saw the greatest birth in all of history.

• No wonder they praised the God of creation

What was it like in the throne room of God when Jesus was born?

• Christ/Messiah/Anointed One
  • The deliverer
  • Positioned as our High Priest
  • The only one allowed to enter the Holy of Holies on our behalf
  • Hebrews 9:11-14 NIV 
• Lord
  • absolute power
  • absolute authority
  • absolute reverence
• Christ the Lord

Phil. 2:5-11 NIV  

The angel gives insight into how the Shepherds can find this baby.

• Mark 2:12 NIV 

“A great company”

Note: 1 Kings 22:19 NIV 

• Large army
  • Host means “Army”
  • Daniel 7:9-10; Revelations 5:11 NIV 
  • Could it be a protection detail
  • Michael, the archangel protecting Jesus

1. Glory to God in the highest
2. On earth, peace
3. On whom his favor rests

The truth to this statement is:

• Peace from God is only given to those who are well-pleasing in his sight

How is that peace brought about?

• Romans 5:1 NIV 

What is the purpose for the birth of Christ?

Note: Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV 

Today we light the peace candle.

• We know that true peace comes through a relationship with the Christ
• We understand that his peace is the only answer to the troubles of our world
• Jesus came into a very troubled world

My prayer is that you will have true peace this year.

• Peace in your family
• Peace with those whom you interact
• But for sure, peace in your heart
  • A peace brought about by knowing Jesus, the Prince of Peace