"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

As many of us move on from Thanksgiving and into Advent, we remember the most important reason we have to be thankful: Jesus' coming. After all, the word "Advent" means "coming," and it is especially about God coming to earth in Jesus. God loves us so much that He didn't want to be far away from us and just be God. In Jesus, He chose to come close to us and be one of us. God is holy and above us (Isaiah 6:1-6), but because of His kindness and grace, He became one of us in Jesus (Isaiah 57:15). In Jesus, God gave up His divine rights and lowered Himself so that we could see both God's grace and our own way to Him in His greatness (Philippians 2:5-11).

Jesus' entrance to Earth is entirely and completely congruent with the LORD God revealed in the Old Testament. God is exalted and holy. God is just and majestic. Nonetheless, the LORD God is the God of Incarnation, the LORD who sees our plight, hears our pleas, and descends to assist us. God adores individuals, especially those who come to Him knowing they require His love and grace. God provides renewal that penetrates the spirit and heart to those who seek Him with passion, humility, amazement, and reverence.