In the fullness of time!

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, 
born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law,
that we might receive the adoption as sons."
Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV)

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us,
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

I love how God meets us where we are right when He knows we are ready for His rescue. That is what Christmas is all about! After the sin of Adam, we were all born under the law that leads to death if not obeyed perfectly. God made a way by sending His son from Heaven to be under the law Himself so that he could take on all our sins and pay the ultimate price for us when He shed His blood on the cross. He came right where we were to rescue us!

On the grand scheme of things, the fullness of time came over 2,000 years ago when Joseph took his espoused wife, Mary, to Bethlehem to pay taxes. On the surface, it sure didn't seem like it was the right time for the promised Messiah to be born. There weren't even any rooms available for them in any hotel. You would think that if a King were to be born, they would have reserved a 5 star resort suite for him. Instead, Joseph had to take his beloved Mary to a stable where she went into labor and delivered Jesus among the farm animals. Instead of a crib, Jesus was laid in a feeding trough. A feeding trough! Think about it...He is the Bread of Life...a feeding trough! Hmmm....maybe that was one indication that God was in this--that it was His timing. Beside that, this timing and setting fulfilled many Old Testament prophesies about the coming Messiah. It had to be God! Man was not even aware what was going on! The angels in Heaven knew! I love how they showed up to the shepherds:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:
and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not:
for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 
Luke 2:8-14 (NKJV)

On a more personal application, Jesus' birth made it possible for each of us to be rescued at just the right time in our individual lives. He willingly left His throne in Heaven to become a man in order to pay the price for human sin. He had to be a man since it was man who sinned, yet He had to be God in order to fulfill the law perfectly, God in flesh...Immanuel! If you find yourself feeling stuck in bondage, take heart! Jesus came to be in bondage for a time so He could destroy the bondage we are all under and give us the hope of eternal life! He came to the world that He created, to rescue humankind, yet many did not have a clue. But to as many as receive Him and what He did for them on the cross, to them He gives the right to become children of God and heirs of eternal life! (Read the 1st and 17th chapters of the book of John to see more of the complete message of what I am talking about.) Think about that when you hear the classic Christmas Carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!". If you have not received what Christ did for you on that cross, this Christmas would be a great time to make it your own personal "fulness of time" when you allow God to come rescue you!

"Hark The Herald Angels Sing"
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of the virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

Hail, the heav'n-born Prince of peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that we no more may die
Born to raise us from the earth
Born to give us second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!