But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)
The hearts of God fearing people had been crying out since the Garden of Eden. As sin ravaged the earth, as death ruled over the lives of mankind, as Satan enslaved and deceived many, it seemed like the prayers of God’s faithful had went unheard. Galatians 4:4-5 reminds us that God was not slow in keeping His promises throughout the Scriptures. God was patiently and perfectly waiting for the time to be just right.
This Christmas season, we find ourselves again waiting for the the advent of Christ. This time, we aren’t eagerly awaiting the birth of the promised Messiah, but the second advent at the return of our King. Just as the saints before us, rejoice this Christmas season knowing that God can and will keep His promises! He hasn’t fallen asleep or went to some far away place in the cosmos, He is again waiting for the “fullness of time” (see 2 Peter 3:9).
The fullness of time, that moment when history was at just the right point, is when God sent His beloved Son into the world to be born of the promised virgin. The Pax Romana, that is “the peace of Rome,” was the period our Savior was born into. The Roman Empire had subdued much of the known world under one common language, currency, and governance that allowed the relative safe transport of people and ideas. This militarily enforced peace would be the vehicle that would one day allow the Good News of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ to travel to the furthest reaches of the empire.
Notice that God “sent forth his Son” as we are reminded of Isaiah 9:6. Jesus as a child was born of a woman and at His incarnation He would forever associate Himself with His creation. Fully man and fully God, Jesus was born under the law to do what we are still powerless to do today: Fullfill it. Our redemption, that the sum total of our salvation, forgiveness, and restoration, comes only because of the perfect work of Jesus. It is incredible to know that through the finished work of Christ we don’t just experience eternal life, we are also adopted into the family of God! Breathtaking.
Some of us might be struggling in the waiting right now. Let this Christmas season be a reminder that even when we don’t see it and don’t understand it, God is working. This reminds me that God sees, He knows, He understands, He cares, and He has the power to do what I’m powerless to do. Sit with this thought for a few moments today and rejoice because in Christ this is the God you serve too.
This Christmas I hope you’ll celebrate like a son or daughter of the King. Today we can rejoice, no matter what we are facing or where life might find us, because of the truth that in Christ we have been found by our Savior, Redeemer, Messiah, and King. Thank you Jesus!
Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible plan You have for the redemption of humanity. Lord, it can be so hard to wait. Please give us grace in seasons of frustration, doubt, fear, anxiety, and Your seeming silence. When we don’t understand what You are doing, help us trust that You are the One who is doing. Thank You for sending Your Son into the world to live the life we could never live, to die the death we deserve, so that we might become Your sons and daughters in Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
