What exactly is goodwill? We sing about it in our Christmas carols. The angel proclaimed it to the shepherds. And last week, we looked at it in my blog entitled, Our Eternal Advent, Unwrapping the Gifts.
“Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men.”
As I reflect on the Christmas story in my NIV Bible, Luke 2:14 reads, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 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.”
My study note for 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.”
“Goodwill” is God’s unfailing love for us. This is the favor of God that rests upon us.
The closest thing I can relate God’s love to is my love for my son. It is an unselfish, sacrificial kind of love. Last week, my son got his driver’s license. As I watched him pull out of our driveway, I was nervous and excited. The amount of love I have for him is tremendous. I would do anything to keep him safe. I believe I would even die for him. But never would I allow my son to die to save others. God’s love is 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.”
Jesus is that love that never fails. He is the way, the truth and the life. Because of Him, we can have communion with God. I’m not sure if God gave us Jesus or Jesus gave us God. But Jesus definitely shows us the way to have an intimate relationship with the Father. All because of love.
God’s favor rests upon us. God’s love is always with us.
Romans 5:1-5 says,
“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 to receive the greatest gift ever given, 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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One thought on “Our Eternal Advent – What is goodwill?”
What a Gift! Goodwill to men; and peace on earth. My prayer for my fellowman/woman. Love you