Before the dawn of time a plan was made... a plan to save and a plan to love, a plan to rescue and a plan to send. One after the other people were sent to be where they were needed to be.

In the distance wise men ride camels through the desert. A star glimmers in the night sky. They have a long way to go and many months of travel ahead of them.

Some shepherds stand guard over their flock of sheep as a young couple struggle the last few miles of a tiring journey desperate for shelter and a place to sleep.

All have been sent to one place for one event that will change the world forever. The one and only saviour of the world will be born that night in a stable, in a little country called Israel in a little town called Bethlehem.

The key part of the plan is a baby and His name will be Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.

Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson is Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia. He is also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He was formerly minister of St. George's-Tron church in Glasgow.