Do not underestimate this Child, whom Scripture says will one day rule the nations with a rod of iron. Do not undervalue His long strategic plan to so subvert our violence and greed that even we will one day love His peace and cherish His simplicity. Do not fail to understand His grace which even now supplants our fantasy theologies of merit, work, and self-accomplishment.

He sleeps now in apparent weakness and poverty, for He possesses Heaven’s unshakable confidence that before Him every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Every other so-called power will burn like the manger straw in which He rests.

Grace rules. Grace plans. Grace has the final word.