In the space of a week, we proceed from the historic drama of impeaching an American president to the celebration of history's ultimate drama.

From the nasty spectacle of power's corruption to the sublime entrance of Power Incarnate.

From the center of power in this world to the birthplace of power in the next.

From the death pangs of a presidency to the birth pangs of a Savior.

From famous grown men (and women) behaving badly to nondescript men and women welcoming holiness humbly.

From a display of the baser natures of our ruling class to the observance of even nature itself transfixed by the One who rules over all by virtue of His sinless nature.

It is Christmas Week, that time when many acknowledge their need for a brush of angels bending near the earth, for a breath of the divine to enervate their bowed but busy bodies.

In this week, we can trudge from a hall of government, feeling slightly dirtied, to enter a rude stable and emerge cleansed.

What a wondrous week!

In the space of six days we can witness our best efforts at government and realize why the Government shall be upon His shoulder. And should be.

At the beginning of these six days we broadcast to the bewildered world the news that our leader is a liar, and not many words of truth are in him. And at the end of the week, we welcome into the world Truth Himself, who came to destroy the father of lies.

At the beginning of Christian civilization upon this continent, a group of citizen refugees publicly dedicated this land to a righteous God. At the end of the 20th century, a poll of average citizens reveals that righteousness is irrelevant to the masses and that God and His concerns should be relegated to private matters and routed from public consideration.

We move from the shameless assertions that since we are all sinners there should be no penalties for breaking the law to the utterly profound declaration that any sin private or public demands our very death, eternally, a demand so overwhelming that only God Himself can atone for our massive miscarriages of justice.

In that feed trough, a Baby, new to this life, awaits a death by crucifixion so that all who accept Him for who He simply is may not fear that eternal impeachment and final conviction.

All of us who watched Saturday felt a sense of awe at the import of our representatives' vote.

All of us who see a King in that stable can share with sensational joy the awesome perspective contained in Isaiah 9: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this."

Away from the television altar and around the manger, we are able through His grace to recognize the One who loves us with His very life, even to death and beyond. Because He alone had to go to the cross, we all can meet around the manger.