"...thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Why did Christ come? Consider the song of Zacharias from the scripture above. The Greek word for visit means something like a doctor coming to see a sick patient. Jesus, the dawn of Heaven, came to our world to settle in and look at the sin-sick human race. He went for a long-term visit to assess the damage, diagnose the problem, and establish a cure. Jesus visited us for long enough to make a difference and He came not that we might be a host to him, but to care for us. Jesus brought some of Heaven with him, and He is our hearts now and for eternity to come.

Dawn in my darkness deep in my heart, tell all the shadows to swiftly depart. Send out Your love light dispelling despair, dawn in the darkness tell me You're there. Dawn in my darkness, bring me new hope; wake up my spirit, help me to cope. Use me to tell others just who You are, my dayspring, my sunrise, my bright morning star.

Recall situations in your life where hardship got the best of you. Then reflect on those moments when you experienced joy. What can you do today that would produce gratitude?