The glory of the incarnation, the wonder of the majestic plan of the merciful and Sovereign God!! That Light which dispels the darkness, that Light which scatters the host of evil, that Light which comes to us while we still love the darkness, that Light has a name and His name is Jesus!! He is Emmanuel, God with us, and He has come to make a way for us to be restored to our God. To make rebels into sons, and enemies of God into faithful followers of His will. This glory had long been prepared, purposed before the dawn of time, long before the world was made; God intended to redeem a people for Himself. His intent was not thwarted by the rebellion in the garden, for His plans never change. The darkness was prepared for the coming of the light, the day breaking over the power of night... all of this was ordained before the fall of man, all of this was planned so that the majesty of His redeeming love could be known by a people who had been saved. To know the fullness of His nature is worth any cost, any price, for the best of all that God is, cannot be known outside of the context of His grace and mercy. Know that when God announced that darkness would cover the earth it is not to be understood as inability on His part, it is not because of any impotence, nor any lack of care for His children. It is rather the perfect plan which reveals the boundless mercy of the great and gracious God. In all that we do to celebrate this season of Christmas, let us bear this truth with us; the coming of Christ to us is THE focus of the ENTIRE history of all creation... this is not a reaction on the part of God, but rather it is His perfect and determined action, planned from the very foundation... And wondrously, the final chapter in that plan is the glory of God displayed in us, as He transforms our very natures into the image of His Light. Our Light has come! Jesus is His name, and in Him comes the fulfillment of every promise God ever made!!! Rejoice, oh children, God has come and brings salvation with Him!!