When Everything Changes

It's the start of the resolution of everything, the turning point of history. Up until this time the story has only been of the downward spiral, of problems that breed more problems, and the hopelessness of the predicaments, with only promises that things will turn round. Things look bleak, but the faithful hold on for the promised overthrow of evil.

Then it begins--the change, the taking back of all that is wrong. You might not notice it at first, for it starts small, really small:

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman... (Galatians 4:4)

It's just a baby. Not any baby, but God's own Son, sent as the centerpiece of God's wise plan to tie up all the loose ends in the story.

Slowly and surely this baby grows to be a man, always staying obedient to the plan, a plan that will cost him everything. It certainly looks like all hope is lost when he hangs dying on the cross in plain view of everyone. The forces of evil, I'm sure, watch, rejoicing. But it's not defeat; it's the single stroke of victory. God is bringing to fruition his "plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (Ephesians 1:10.)"

It's a coup--the reconciliation of it all in one act.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:19:20)

It's the day when everything changes. The day the music springs to life.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

---Charles Wesley

(All scripture quoted from the ESV.)