"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law..."  Galatians 4:4

Is it really time for Christmas?  Maybe you're scratching your head like I am, still wondering where Fall went.  But here we are -- it's the last day of November, my neighbors have had Christmas lights up for weeks now (I'll catch up soon!), and stores are about to ramp up to holiday hours.  The time has fully come for a very special time of year.  Sure, maybe none of us really needed that reminder, but today I'm thankful for the reminder of Galatians 4:4.  It's not just the time to celebrate a special season.  It's time to celebrate the arrival of God's own Son.  

A few months ago, a friend of mine shared the tracking number of a shipment of books I was eager to get my hands on.  Just days later the anticipated delivery time had come...but nothing arrived on my doorstep.  According to the tracking info, the package got all the way to Parker, CO but was then deemed undeliverable.  It has been months since I filed a missing mail search request.  The time was right, but nothing came through (and still hasn't).  I was bummed, frustrated, empty-handed.  And all that over a box of books.  I imagine, though, that some of us are grieving a dashed hope of far greater magnitude -- an expectation unfulfilled, a blessing unseen.  Maybe that has stirred more than frustration, even bitterness, jaded hearts, and unbelief.

But in Galatians 4, Paul portrays God as our loving Father who appoints times and actually keeps track of those times.  Our heavenly Father has appointed times for us not just to receive this providence or that blessing, but He has divinely designated a time for this fallen race to experience a freedom and redemption we desperately need.  And when that time fully came, He delivered -- "God sent forth His Son" (Gal. 4:4).  We may feel like we're still waiting for God to show up in particular situation or crisis, but today I want to invite you to trust God as the One who delivers right on time.

This Advent season, let's take a step back to see the big picture.  Maybe that involves shifting our focus away from those gifts we are still waiting for, the prayers that haven't yet been answered.  

Instead, let's fix our eyes on the Son that God has already sent.  

His arrival changes everything!  It's because of God's Son that we ourselves "receive the adoption as sons" (v. 5).  It's because of God's Son that we can receive "the Spirit of His Son" and have the same intimate prayer relationship Jesus had with the Father (v. 6).  It's because of God's Son that we are no longer slaves to sin but are "heir[s] of God through Christ" (v. 7).  And all that has come to us from God through His Son Jesus...whom He sent right on time.  Now that is something to celebrate!  Will you join me in receiving this infinite Gift today?