The Fullness of Time

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law. (Galatians 4: 4)

“When the fullness of the time came…” How many times have I read this verse and overlooked this phrase? It was not just any other day. The birth of Christ happened exactly at the moment it had been planned since before the beginning of the material world. It was not just like any other day - it was when the time was ripe, when it had matured to the point of perfection, when the time was full. 

Days had passed steadily for centuries, but then a special day arrived - one that was different because it was right – it was appointed. 

The funny thing is that by any worldly standard, the timing of Jesus’ birth was all out of whack. A young couple arrived at a dinky little town where there was no place to stay but a filthy stable and a few rags to keep warm. If you ask me, it was nothing but a big case of wrong place, wrong time. According to God’s design, however, it was perfectly as planned. It happened just the way it was supposed to. It might have been a surprise for Joseph and poor Mary who probably wondered why the Lord would not provide better conditions for them to bring to life the Giver of Life. It was not a surprised for God…Any concerns they may have entertained didn’t matter because the Father of All had it all in His hands, as usual.

Doesn’t it seem sometimes as if the timing is all wrong in our lives as well? Don’t we sometimes despair because we don’t see where the roads are taking us as the time seems to be ticking away, waiting for no one? Don’t we often let ourselves be trapped by the quick sand of worry, fear and doubt…wondering if He’ll deliver us or let us die? I imagine Mary might have felt a pinch of that anxiety on that night a couple of millenniums ago. After all, she was just a young woman about to give birth to her first baby. I am willing to suggest that she felt confused as to why things didn’t seem to be going smoothly for them. I’m pretty sure Joseph was probably going out of his mind as well. But, oh, what a miracle emerged despite the state of fright and commotion. The Hope of Mankind was born to bring Mary, Joseph and us peace – the kind that surpasses all understanding. 

God has a plan for you that will come to light at exactly the right time. Any confusion or concern you have is natural, but rest assured, the glory that will come will wipe away all that came before in the fullness of time.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. Luke 2: 6