As this past year winds down, we often take time to look back over the year for an assessment of what has happened and form a prospective outlook on what the next year may hold. For many, this past year was full of unexpected trials, hardships, and difficulties. Many have dealt with fear, disease, loss, and isolation. 2020 has certainly been one for the history books! The problem is that this assessment of the past year can jade our outlook on what to expect in the future. This is why our assessment of the past and hope for the future must be informed by the unchanging truth of God’s Word and His character.

When the angels came to declare the birth of Christ to the shepherds near Bethlehem, they had a message to proclaim. Key to that message was something central to God’s nature and His desire for mankind. It was the reason why Jesus Christ came and it is also what should inform our outlook for the year ahead. After informing the shepherds of the birth of Christ, the angel was joined with a host of others which offered this truth – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14)

These are universal truths that pertained to the birth of Christ as the one who will bring God the glory, peace to the earth, and offer goodwill to mankind. However, it also is meant to inform our understanding of God’s desires for us and what our response to God should look like even (and especially) through difficult seasons of life.

1. Glory to God – No matter what happens in life, we are to give God the glory. He is the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) He is the creator and sustainer of all things. (1 Peter 4:19) Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. (James 1:17) Without Him we could do nothing. (John 15:5) Sometimes things (or years) don’t work out as we hoped, but God still deserves the glory for every good thing in our lives. (Colossians 3:17)


2. Peace on Earth – This has been a year of anxiety and unrest. There have been protests in the streets and tumult in people’s hearts. Yet, God desires PEACE for us. Peace on the inside is found only through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:14) and is maintained only when our mind and hearts are fixed on Him. (Isaiah 26:3) Peace in our world may not come in 2021, but it will come when the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) returns again to deal with the unrest around us. (Revelation 7:17)


3. Goodwill toward men – Some translations use a different wording for this phrase which slightly alters the impact, but the principle that God wants good things for His children remains unchanging. (Matthew 7:11) This past year may seemed like a torment for you, but it is not God’s desire to punish. (Ezekiel 18:23) Sometimes He causes these things to come to us to return us to Him. (Hebrews 12:6) However, the Christmas season serves as a renewal of this truth that God desires His best for us and has sent His best to us in the form of His only begotten Son. (Romans 5:8) It’s the ultimate gesture of goodwill for all of mankind.

So, as you spend time over the holidays to ponder the events of this past year don’t allow it to cast a dark shadow over the possibilities of the year to come. Commit yourself to give God the glory (no matter what lies ahead). Confirm in your heart the peace the God has for you through Jesus Christ and dwell on that peace by keeping close to Him (no matter what unrest may occur in the world around you). Finally, be convinced that God’s desire is for you to know that His goodwill has not changed nor been diminished in any way. God wants His BEST for you and that fills the year ahead with hope and unlimited possibility.