Our Eternal Advent (week 3)

As Christmas rushes toward us, we continue to move into our Eternal Advent. Clearly, we begin to see our four themes emerging; Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

Last week, we looked at Peace, as the angels proclaimed it from the night sky. “Peace on Earth. Goodwill toward men.” But what is this goodwill they speak of?

“Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men.”

Re-reading the Christmas story from my NIV Bible, I noticed it does not say goodwill. Instead, Luke 2:14  proclaims, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 

In this version, goodwill is interpreted as God’s favor. But what is “God’s favor?”

Psalm 63:3 says, “Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.”

When I read the study note associated with this verse, it takes me to Psalm 6:4, which reads,

“Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.”

Again, referencing my study note, this verse reads, “unfailing love.” The Hebrew for this phrase denotes a strong sense of goodwill, especially such as can be relied on in times of need. Appeal to God’s “unfailing love” sometimes rendered as “kindness” or “mercy.”

So, if goodwill is interpreted as God’s favor upon us, and God’s favor is His unfailing love for us, then, goodwill is God’s unfailing love. A love so great the angels had to proclaim it to those lowly shepherds to make sure they knew that God’s love was even for them.

God’s love is so big, it is often hard to comprehend. The closest thing I can relate it to is the love I have for my son. It is unselfish and sacrificial. The amount of love I have for him is sometimes overwhelming. I would do anything to keep him safe. And, I believe I would even die for him. However, never would I allow my son to die to save others. But God would. God loves us that much. God’s love may be too big for us to comprehend.

Love Incarnate. Love Divine.  

Isaiah 9:6 says, “Unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given.”

This child, Jesus, is our gift, given to us. God’s son was born for a specific purpose. It is a gift given in love. Once received, Jesus becomes the Savior of the World.

God’s unfailing love for us is the very thing that saves us. 

1 Corinthians 13 reads, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

As we prepare for our Eternal Advent, I invite you to come and see what God has done. Embrace this amazing story of extravagant love in all of its fullness. Unwrap the gifts of hope, peace and love, as we discover the love God gave us through His Son, in his birth, in his life and even in his death. Through these gifts, we receive immeasurable joy, as we are made whole through the Divine Love of God. Love is here! Love is now!  Will you receive the gift this Christmas?

Make this song your prayer. Merry Christmas! -M

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