A Christmas Carol: W2 - MON
The rescue begins Galatians 4: 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (ESV)
Romans 5: 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (NLT)
I love that line, “the fullness of time.” It is literally and figuratively pregnant with possibilities.
The Israelites had been waiting 100’s of years for the fulfillment of God’s promise of a coming Messiah, Savior, and King. Granted, they didn’t fully understand what they needed. They were hoping for a political leader to come and save them from their oppressors. Their scope was limited to the things they could see. God’s Messiah was coming to save us from the things we can’t see, but that oppress us even more than political powers.
Regardless, the Israelites knew they were in need, and they knew God had made them a promise to send a child, a prophet. So they waited.
Then, at just the right time, a time only God could have chosen, a Savior was coming into the world. The plan had been set since before the creation of the world, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit had patiently waited until the time was right. The plan was now in motion and the Savior that was to come would both be named Jesus, for He would save us from our sins, and Immanuel, for He would be God with us.
I well remember when my wife was pregnant with our first child. I read some books, but no book could have prepared me for how life would change, how I would change, with the coming of this child. Each day passed and I watched Tricia’s belly grow. As time went on, you could see movement. Then, you could even make out a foot or a hand pushing against her stomach.
Then, in the fullness of time, my son was born. When I first got to hold him, I was so overwhelmed with love that all I could do was cry. As was once said, tears are the words our hearts can’t say.
I can’t imagine what it was like for Mary and Joseph to hold the Savior of the world in their hands, but I’m guessing they both cried. Not only were they holding in their hands the fulfillment of God’s promise, they were holding their precious baby boy. More on that part of the story in a couple days.
For now, may we come to know that God’s timing is always best, and He is always faithful. He fulfills his promises. Paul says it best to the Corinthians, “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NLT)
We must remember that it is us humans that are fickle and quick to forget, not God. This week, as we reflect on the presence of Christmas present, it is my prayer that we may we be reminded to trust in God at all times, even when His timing doesn’t align with ours.
Romans 5: 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (NLT)
I love that line, “the fullness of time.” It is literally and figuratively pregnant with possibilities.
The Israelites had been waiting 100’s of years for the fulfillment of God’s promise of a coming Messiah, Savior, and King. Granted, they didn’t fully understand what they needed. They were hoping for a political leader to come and save them from their oppressors. Their scope was limited to the things they could see. God’s Messiah was coming to save us from the things we can’t see, but that oppress us even more than political powers.
Regardless, the Israelites knew they were in need, and they knew God had made them a promise to send a child, a prophet. So they waited.
Then, at just the right time, a time only God could have chosen, a Savior was coming into the world. The plan had been set since before the creation of the world, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit had patiently waited until the time was right. The plan was now in motion and the Savior that was to come would both be named Jesus, for He would save us from our sins, and Immanuel, for He would be God with us.
I well remember when my wife was pregnant with our first child. I read some books, but no book could have prepared me for how life would change, how I would change, with the coming of this child. Each day passed and I watched Tricia’s belly grow. As time went on, you could see movement. Then, you could even make out a foot or a hand pushing against her stomach.
Then, in the fullness of time, my son was born. When I first got to hold him, I was so overwhelmed with love that all I could do was cry. As was once said, tears are the words our hearts can’t say.
I can’t imagine what it was like for Mary and Joseph to hold the Savior of the world in their hands, but I’m guessing they both cried. Not only were they holding in their hands the fulfillment of God’s promise, they were holding their precious baby boy. More on that part of the story in a couple days.
For now, may we come to know that God’s timing is always best, and He is always faithful. He fulfills his promises. Paul says it best to the Corinthians, “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NLT)
We must remember that it is us humans that are fickle and quick to forget, not God. This week, as we reflect on the presence of Christmas present, it is my prayer that we may we be reminded to trust in God at all times, even when His timing doesn’t align with ours.
- Have you ever had to wait a long time for a fulfillment of a promise, or to receive a gift? What was the waiting like and how did it feel to finally receive the gift?
- Jesus may have come at just the right time, but his birth would go unnoticed to many. Why do you think so many missed it, and why did the angels appear to Mary, Joseph, shepherds and wise men, instead of the religious rulers, leaders, and politically elite?
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