In Fullness of Time
Galatians 4:4 is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible. God in fullness of time sent forth Jesus.
Rome dominated the known world.
Latin was the common language.
Roads had been built from Rome throughout conquered lands.
A national postal system was established.
The first standing army in history kept order.
The longest span of peace, Pax Romana, in history was in process.
Piracy on high seas had been brought under control.
A willingness for people to listen to Jewish ideas of a Messiah was strong.
Rome was at a moral low. Gods were everywhere but without meaning. Folks bought and sold gods for their convenience. Sin ran like a river.
Marriage had decreased in the Roman Empire, because men did not need/want to get married. Promiscuity/perversion was prevalent. Roman citizenship was dropping while slavery was increasing. Caesar passed a law that gave tax credit to married couples. He required every person to go to their birthplace to register in an effort to see if the new law was working. Thus, in perfect timing Joseph took Mary and went to Bethlehem. Incredible that a pagan king made possible Jesus’ being born in Bethlehem---right on time…perfect time…4,000 years after Adam was created.
I have no fuss with people who talk about legends of Christmas. My heart is too full of joy for the Wonder of Christmas. That Heaven would send its best. That divinity would become flesh to serve its own creation is not to be equated with North Pole imaginations.
The more I wonder of Christ the Messiah, the more wondrous the Wonder! To think that God loves us so much. It is inconceivable that a king would be born in a stable and laid in a manger.
It is said that when a Prince of England was born he immediately was given 1600 acres of royal forest, and wealth to become one of the richest men in the world.
And the God who made the Prince of England placed in a manger of hay? Incredible!
I will wonder at the True Wonder! I will wonder at the marvel of perfect timing, in the prophesied place, with all circumstances being fulfilled to complete hundreds of divine predictions.
My hope is that you and yours will experience with perfect timing Christ being the center of Christmas in your hearts and your home.
Oh, I love Christmas!
Pastor Bare
Matthew 1:21