Theme: God's gracious good will

Exegetical note
Luke's nativity narrative is rich, picturesque, imaginative, and (above all) symbolic. Among the many explorable details is an often misunderstood phrase, which comes as a part of the angelic multitude's hymn, namely, the declaration of peace among "men," either those "of good will" or those "with whom God is pleased." The latter probably comes closer to the original intent of the idiomatic text, and makes the sound theological point that the benefits of this whole event derive from God's gracio…