The Planets: Earth, the Crown Jewel, Part 10 (of 10)

In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus published his masterwork of astronomy, De revolutionibus orbium coelestiu On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, thereby giving the world its first “scientifically-based” case for heliocentrism. Though it took others, particularly the Catholic Church, more time to come around to Copernicus’ way of thinking, today it is universally acknowledged that Earth is not the physical center of the solar system—but it looks to be the focal point of the spiritual realm. As our knowledge of the universe grows, evidence for exquisite fine-tuning to support life increases. It seems as though the world was designed with humans in mind. Scientists and philosophers call this the anthropic principle. It defies the idea that the physical realm is all that exists and that there is no purpose for life beyond living and dying.

As Hugh Ross puts it in his latest book, Why the Universe Is the Way It Is, God’s purpose for humanity places people at “center stage in the unfolding drama of God’s ultimate victory over evil.” Ross lists 11 reasons why God created this specific universe; among them is the intent to “personally initiate our rescue.” Christmas day represents a pivotal moment in the battle to save humanity. The birth of the long-awaited Messiah marked the beginning of the overthrow of death. Charles Wesley’s classic carol, “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” beautifully sums up the importance of that event. 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. Christ humbled himself so that we may be exalted—though little we deserve it. God so loved the inhabitants of this crown jewel of a planet that he stooped to become one of them and endured a painful execution so that we wouldn’t have to pay the just price for our sins. As Linus so aptly says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” Merry Christmas to you and your kin! Listen to “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”here