Thomas Goodwin famously called the incarnation the -kiss of heaven upon earth.- He meant that, for God, who is Spirit, to take flesh upon himself-and that forever-was a true act of love and mercy and compassion and joy. It was a kiss-it is.--What is the significance of this for us- --Paul reflects on that first Advent of the Christ-child in Galatians 4-4-7, which is our text for this evening's service on Christmas Eve 2021.