Dr John Mohan Razu
For Christmas 2025, the phrase “goodwill toward ALL” is the key that needs detailing because it is couched with intense meaning. Moreover, it is part of the angels’ announcement of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2: 14. The angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” – announcing the coming of the Saviour. Prophet Isaiah in his prophecies foretold about it 700-years ago that the One who is to come is the Messiah who would bring love, hope, joy, and peace. Key passages include Isaiah 9: 2-7, the birth of the Prince of Peaces; Isaiah 61: 1-3, describes the anointed One be sent to bring good news to the poor and liberty to captives.
Along these, the central concept that is to be brought to the fore “goodwill”. In the Bible in KJV the term “goodwill” signifies benevolent intent, favour, and kindness—from God to humanity. And then it is reciprocal which ought to be reciprocated by people toward one another—within and between each other. It is an attitude of seeking the welfare of others that encompasses everyone meaning expressing through acts of compassion, mercy, and love. It is thus a manifestation of God’s grace and an expression of the fruit of Sprit.
The centrality of the theme the term “goodwill” and the angelic announcement of “peace on earth” and “goodwill toward men” are the prime example, with Christ being a tangible expression of God’s goodwill. The birth of Jesus pre-supposes the One who is to be born would bring “good tidings and great joy” bringing “peace on earth and goodwill toward men” (Luke 2: 14). Likewise, the Old Testament laws commands Israelites to show mercy and justice to the poor, strangers, and the oppressed reflect God’s desire for them to act with goodwill towards one another.
“Goodwill” is born out of the fruits of the Spirit. In this the Christian concept of goodwill is linked to the qualities of love, kindness, goodness, and gentleness that cultivated in believers by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23). Hence, the biblical notions of “goodwill” embraces the context that refers to benevolence, kindness, kind intentions of actions towards others, often reflecting God’s categorical imperatives. When Isaiah prophesises the One who is come which refers to the loving and positive intentions God has for people including God’s grace and mercy.
Kindness and mercy are the most important virtue that God in Jesus has shown in his attitude and intent wishing well the “goodwill” for others and treating others with kindness, compassion, and generosity. The connection of God’s will is embedded in His “goodwill” which involves acting with benevolent disposition towards others, reflecting God’s character and a desire to honour Him.
A question that Isaiah asks and answers: Who would bring that Light he was foreseeing and prophesising? The Child to be born would eventually be “the Light of World” and “everlasting, establishing lasting peace and just rule, are central and pivotal to Christmas 2025. Yes Jesus is the Light of the World because in a world totally torn out of all kinds of problems where people at large keep facing all kinds of existential issues live in darkness and so we have the light that is born to us to illumine the world we live in darkness.
Continuing further, as said in Isaiah 40: 3-5 a voice in the wilderness that prepared the way for the One to be born who shall level the mountains and fill the valleys—the crux of the Christmas – 2025, where we come across social, economic, political, religio-cultural divides we have within and between nations. When we use the metaphor “valleys be lifted up and mountains be brought down” – a question that automatically comes is who would be that leveller. Undoubtedly the metaphor is directly connected to Jesus who would be the leveller bringing justice and equality.
The attributes that prophet Isaiah uses fort he One to come such as “Wonderful Counsellor”, “Mighty God”, “Everlasting Father”, “Prince of Peace”—a vision for the righteous and peaceful ruler conveys that He is everything the Messiah, Life, Light, Peace, Righteousness, Love, Mercy, Compassion and what not. Then everything is clasped in One Person, Jesus the Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, who redeemed the world. Redemption of the entire humanity was possible by coming to us that brought the fusion between the world humans and beyond.
Let Christmas-2925 bring goodwill to the humanity, the spirit of kindness and sharing, mercy and compassion for everyone. Goodwill in essence implies wishing well for all people, treating them with respect, and acting with hopefulness with a sense of shared humanity. This is a clarion call because this phrase is a commitment to extend kindness, love, peace, and justness universally, rather than being limited or confined to a select group.
Showing kindness and being friendly and supporting those are in need implies a friendly or helpful attitude. In this Season we should reach out to them rather they coming to us because those in need want to be invisible. If is we who should identify them and make them visible. Whoever it may across the board we will have to make the first step and then act. Therefore, when we use a word ‘goodwill meaning ‘wishing well’ for others.
Christmas-2025 is a call for action prompting us and thus encouraging us to embrace empathy and compassion toward all people. By giving and sharing whatever we can and how much ever to those in need brings happiness and joy to them and in return we will be blessed. Jesus the Christ who came down taking the human form and lived and living by establishing Peace, Joy, and Hope on Earth and Goodwill toward all – the Messianic event which should never be forgotten.
Jesus’ birth on earth is worldwide considered a pivotal messianic event by Christians. The narratives that we come across conveys a core message that the birth of Jesus being celebrated as Christmas is seen as the fulfilment of prophecies. The biblical accounts of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels exposits a clear messaged that the prophecy has been fulfilled. The events surrounding the birth adds to it as angels appearing to the shepherds and the guidance of the Star of Bethlehem shows the divine confirmations that was born was the long-awaited Messiah sent by God.
As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour with all humility and total reverence share the love, peace, and freedom that we have received from Jesus Christ with those who are in need. Only in sharing, showing compassion, and offering mercy we find meaning in Christmas-2025 and the year to follow 2026.
MERRY CHRISTMAS –2025 AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR – 2026.
