Peace on earth and goodwill toward man

Have you ever wondered about the message of the angelic host in town of Bethlehem as recorded in Luke 2:10-14?
The passage in the New International Version (NIV) reads:
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
 “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men”
What does “peace and goodwill” really mean?
I believe, the phrase, “peace and goodwill” expresses God’s heart and intent towards people. God had been at war with man’s sin since the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned.
Now that war is over. The source of the conflict between man and God  – sin – has been removed by a  new born Savior.
God is forever the Great Shepherd looking for the lost sheep – the sinners.
During the time period between Adam to Moses, God punished sins when the entire civilization was in danger, as was the case in the time of Noah and the Great Flood.
Yet, even at the worst of times, God continually provided opportunities for sacrifices and offerings to atone for sin.
During the time between Moses and  the birth of Jesus, the 'Law' was in effect for the people of Israel. It was not given to make anyone holy, or to be a human standard of living. Rather, the purpose of the Law was to show God’s holiness and our utter inability to achieve God’s standard. The Law was to prepare us for grace.
During that 1,400 year period called the Old Covenant, there was a sense of anger and wrath.
Once we understand the Law of Moses with all its impossible requirements, we also understand the New Covenant of peace.
Peace had come with the birth of Jesus. God was now portrayed as the God of mercy and grace.
 Jesus Christ “once for all” let mankind deal with the sin problem. God would do to sin what sin deserved and what God always wanted to do to it - punish it. God’s just anger over human sin fell on Jesus.
The war was over. [eace had come.
God had always been holy, just, pure, and ready to punish sin. The only difference is that now the punishment has already been enacted on Jesus, resulting in a message of peace and goodwill from God. In short, our sins have been paid.
Jesus suffered every injustice, humiliation and unfair treatment imaginable to man. Every level of His being was affected - physically, mentally and emotionally.
Jesus’ birth signaled true peace and goodwill.
On Christmas morning let us rejoice and share this same message of peace and goodwill for man.
The birth of Jesus Christ is our door to grace, forgiveness and redemption, let us sing glory to God in the highest.

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