Why Am I So Favored?

 I’m Rev. Jay Stuart Glover, and you are listening to Faith Talk. Thank you for  joining our global listening audience   as we embrace the fourth Sunday of Advent. This is a season of joyful anticipation, as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the coming of Christ. 

In the Gospel according to Luke, in the very first chapter we find the story of Mary going to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant and  would soon  give birth to  John the Baptist. Mary was also pregnant, and she was carrying Jesus at the time of this visit. 

 The story tells us that when Mary got to Elizabeth’s house she greeted Elizabeth,  and when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  The bible says that 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 

I love the part of this account where Elizabeth says: “ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

Elizabeth's question, "But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" captures a profound moment of spiritual insight and humility. In these words, Elizabeth acknowledges that she has done nothing to merit the merciful gifts of both her unexpected pregnancy and Mary's visit. At the same time, she prophetically recognizes the divine significance of Mary as the mother of the Messiah. The title "mother of my Lord" reveals that Elizabeth, even before Jesus’ public ministry, understood His true identity as the promised Savior.

Elizabeth's question “why am I so favored?  invites us today  to contemplate the nature and the greatness of God's favor towards  humanity. The answer to the question why am I so favored? is simply because God created you, cares for you and loves you. 

 Just as Elizabeth expressed humility and gratitude for being chosen by God, we, as modern followers of Jesus, are called to reflect on our own identity in God's eyes, to recognize the ways in which we are favored, and to discern the unique purposes for which God has called us.

The question, "Why are we so favored in the eyes of God that Jesus himself would come to us?" encourages modern day followers of Jesus to consider their own role and active participation  in God's plan and how we are to reciprocate the love that God has shown us. 

  Advent invites us to embrace the fact that each person  is cherished and invited  to participate in God’s redemptive story, much like Elizabeth and Mary. 

Advent also invites us to remember and celebrate the incarnation of Jesus. 

The term “Incarnation”refers to the divine act where the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, became fully human while remaining fully divine. The  union of two natures in the one person of Jesus Christ: is often described using a  theological term which is the Hypostatic Union—Simply put Jesus is all God and all man. 

One of the most beloved passages of Scripture that captures this truth is John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This passage underscores not only that Jesus entered our world but that He lived among us. He walked with us, talked with us, and experienced the full range of human emotions—joy, sorrow, temptation, and, ultimately, He gave His life for us on the cross.

As we reflect on and prepare to celebrate the Incarnation during this Advent season, we are reminded of several powerful truths:

The Church’s Mission to Reflect Christ’s Love

Celebrating the Birth of Jesus should serve as a reminder that the Church—Christ’s body on earth—is called to be God’s presence in the world. Just as Jesus embodied God’s love and compassion, we are called to reflect that same love in our communities. The Incarnation of Jesus challenges us to embody Christ’s love in tangible ways—through acts of service, offering hope to the hopeless, and being a light in the darkness.

As we contemplate the reality  of the Incarnation, we are invited to live out our faith in a way that brings Christ’s love and grace into the world around us. It calls us to be attentive to the divine presence in our daily lives and to live with purpose, reflecting the love of Christ in all our interactions. When we embrace this call, we not only deepen our own faith but also help others encounter God in a meaningful way.

By becoming human, God affirms the sanctity of human life. The Incarnation teaches us that our physical existence is not just temporary or meaningless, but that God values it deeply. We are called to live out our faith in all aspects of life—spiritual, physical, and relational. Every part of our humanity is significant and can be used to honor God.

As we conclude today’s reflection, let us remember the incredible gift we celebrate this Advent season—the coming of Jesus Christ. He is not only our Savior but also our companion, friend, and perfect example of love.

I encourage you to take a few moments in the days leading up to Christmas to meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation. Reflect on how the birth of Christ changes everything and how it invites us to live in a way that honors that gift of love.

Thank you for joining today’s episode of Faith Talk. May God’s peace and joy fill your hearts as we continue to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s coming. Until next time, keep the faith and share the love of Christ.

I’m Rev Jay Stuart Glover and you are listening to “Faith Talk.” These episodes are available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube and other podcast platforms. Please share with family and friends subscribe and leave a review and comments. God bless you in this Advent season. Amen