In The Fullness of Time

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 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. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (Galatians 4:3-9, ESV)
Have you ever thought much about the fullness of time? At this time of year, people all over the world are celebrating the birth of Christ. This is the greatest event of all time and whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you should delight in the fact that God sent His Son into the world. What a wonderful thing Our Father has done for us! If we listen to the news, we get the idea that Christianity is on its back, its on the way out, finished, over. No, far from it. Christianity is growing in places where you would hardly expect it to grow. Did you know that the British journal, The Economist, in a report in October, estimates that there may be as many as 130 million believers in China? Think about it. That represents almost ten per cent of the Chinese population. And that’s not the only bright spot on the earth. Many other places are seeing a revival of Christianity.
The fullness of time. God sent His Son when He knew it to be the right time, not when conditions were best for humans. It wasn’t because the Roman empire was so large and strong that God said it was the right time to send His Son. It wasn’t because Greek was the lingua franca of the Roman Empire. It wasn’t because the Jewish nation was ready to receive Him. It was because it was God’s time - He knew it to be the best time to send His Son into the world.
Right now, many people are overwhelmed with the financial meltdown happening around the world. The gods of money and power are being destroyed as we watch the news unfolding before us. Many will suffer deprivation, not just in poorer countries of the world, but in major monied countries as well. While many will mourn the situation, we should rejoice that many others will turn their attention to God. This may be one of the greatest times in centuries for Christians to tell others the beautiful news. The Savior of the World was sent into this world by His Father for our sakes. We were slaves to sin and He broke the power of sin through the act of sending His precious Son into a world that was hostile to Him.
Let’s rejoice. Let’s do what the angels did for shepherds in the field, sing songs of joy. Praise His Holy Name. In the fullness of His Father’s time, He willing came for you and me. Is there anything greater than that? He truly lived His life for the one act of giving His precious blood to enact the new covenant and to wash away our sins. Let us live our lives incarnadine, bathed in that Holy blood, so that we have real life in us. Let us carry this message of hope and joy to the men and women around us who are under the heavy burden of sin, worry and regret. Praise His Holy Name!