The Fullness of Time

By Jesse Jackson

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters” Galatians 4:4-5

Have you ever considered where the story of Christmas truly began? Did it begin with angels proclaiming good news to shepherds in the fields, wise men bearing gifts, or even a humble manger?

The story of Christmas actually began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. For it was there that the Lord initiated a genealogical line that would remain unbroken throughout centuries of slavery, famine, violence, ultimately leading to the Messiah. 

This genealogy is recorded in the Gospel of Luke, chapter three, and traces Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Adam listing seventy-six generations (Luke 3:23-38). Why is this genealogy so significant? By including this detailed record, Luke demonstrates that Christ is fully human and a true descendant of David, enabling Him to legitimately claim the throne as both a direct descendant of David, and the adopted heir of Joseph's kingly line.

In other words, Luke reminds his readers that the Son of God was also the Son of man—born into this world and intimately acquainted with the needs and struggles of humanity.

Consider this: God ordained every circumstance of the Christmas story from the very beginning and throughout all of history so that Jesus Christ would arrive on earth at precisely the right moment. He came as an infant who would grow to become our Savior, ultimately dying for the sins of mankind.

This divine timing is conveyed in the phrase "when the fullness of the time came" in Galatians 4:4. This means that God the Father chose the exact moment in history for Christ's coming to provide the means for humanity's transition from bondage under the Law to adoption as His sons and daughters.

What a remarkable truth: God sent Christ from heaven to earth, "born of a woman," to execute His divine plan of redeeming us and delivering us from the curse of the law.

Consider Paul's words in his letter to Timothy:

"[God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time" (1 Timothy 2:4-6).

What is the true meaning of Christmas? It is the celebration of Christ's coming to redeem all humanity.

This Christmas season, may we never lose sight of God's greatest gift to mankind—the gift of His Son. It is my heartfelt prayer that you will personally receive this gift of salvation by placing your faith in Jesus Christ, the Eternal Hope who came at just the right time to reconcile us to God.

Yours to make the gospel known,