O Holy Night
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine
Galatians 4:4-7
“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. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
What does “the fullness of time” mean?
From the beginning of time, God was preparing for the birth of His son in Bethlehem.
How did God prepare the way?
Culturally, commercially, politically and spiritually
- Culturally (a common language was established)
- Commercially (a road system was established)
- Politically (Pax Romana)
- Spiritually (the Jews were
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman…”
Luke 2:1-7
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Galatians 4:1b
“…God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,”
“Born under the law” …what law?
James 2:10
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in
Galatians 4:5a
“to redeem those under the law.”
Redeem (exagorazō) - “buy, buy up something” or “redeem” (literally, “buy back”), of slaves.
Ephesians 2:12
“remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of our sin is death…
But the gift of God is salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Galatians 4:5
“to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”
God has appointed and ordained
God’s carefully orchestrated timetable extends to our
Psalms 31:15
“My times are in your hands,”
1. All the World is in His Hands
We live in uncertain times, but do we really?
Romans 8:28 NKJV
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Luke 2:10-11
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
2. All of History is
Each of us has a divine purpose and divine assignment we must fulfill.
This is what I know, I will not live forever on this earth.
Our story is His story, and it is His desire to write a beautiful story for Himself in our story.
3. All People are the Object of His Love
Luke 2:10
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
What is the motivation behind gift giving?
The time has come! Perhaps YOUR time has come.