Luke 2:8-14 "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
This is my absolute favorite passage in the scriptures of the birth and arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ and it is one of the premier sections of Christmas verses as well. It embodies the joy in heaven at the birth of Christ. And the question we ask is "why such joy in heaven"? It is because God has come down to man, to live among him to walk among him and to express, not harsh penalties or stern words but He is come down with a Good Will. He is arriving to bless and to save man from the sting of death and hell and from the cruel grave. It brings God no pleasure at all to be exacting or harsh or demanding with mankind, God genuinely wants man to be well, He has a good will towards man. In fact, if God had His true desire all men would be saved from the harshness of penalties and judgment. It is only when man is disobedient and self-willed that he need fear anything harsh at all. It is only when man rejects the free gift God has provided in the death and resurrection of His Son that God has any issue with man at all, He seeks peace and reconciliation with man, it is the very purpose for which he has come down and He has come with a good will. His desire is that man would accept His good will and accept His free gift of salvation.
We understand a dignitaries function by the title they bear, consider the titles of the Lord God and you will understand that He has come as an ambassador or peace: Isaiah 9:6-7 v 6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. v 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
Considering the names that He is known by you will understand all that is embodied in these verses in Luke about a good will. This Christmas season why not open your hearts to Him and ask Him to come in your life with good will and accomplish everything in you He desires, all things that pertain to peace and reconciliation.
Merry Christmas!
The Anderson's
