A Good Time for Christmas

Jason M. Dickinson

Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

Galatians 4:4

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Introduction

So, Christmas is on a Sunday this year.

There were many discussions among pastors and church leaders as to whether or not they would hold services on Christmas Sunday.

It was as if Christmas came at a bad time.

But when Paul writes to the Galatians, he states that Christmas came at just the right time.

Galatians 4:4 (ESV)

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

Think of all the “poor” timing in the Christmas story:

Luke 1:5 (ESV)

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

days of Herod

Not a good time to focus on you, Jesus

While Herod started his reign with an attempt to improve relations with the Jews, he

Competing kings

Isn’t this how Jesus sometimes shows up for us? Just not a good time - too many other things vying for our allegiance that we find it hard to focus on this King Jesus

Work requires me to show up earlier so I don’t have time for quiet time -

Luke 1:18 (ESV)

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

Zechariah - too late

You’re too late, Jesus

- why wait until NOW to use me? I’m old!

Luke 1:34 (ESV)

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Mary - too early

I’m not ready yet, Jesus

- I’m not married yet. People will think I’m too much of a sinner to be used of God.

Luke 2:1–6 (ESV)

1 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.

This is very inconvenient, Jesus.

Joseph - Inconvenient - Poor political climate - They would need to travel - but what seems like a problem was actually God’s way of fulfilling His Word

Micah 5:2 ESV

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Luke 2:7 (ESV)

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.

I don’t have the resources at this time, Jesus.

both - Not feasible - not prepared - no room in the inn

Luke 2:8 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Shepherds - not effective - in the dark - with shepherds?!

This is obviously not the best time, Jesus.

Luke 2:7 (ESV)

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.

And she gave birth - it happened!

She didn’t just ‘give birth.’ The birth of a child is a miracle, but the birth of this child is the Greatest Miracle.

It proved God’s timing

It fulfilled God’s plan

It used God’s provision

It came through God’s people

The greatest miracle - God had it all planned and provided the whole way.

God’s timing is always the perfect time for Jesus to work in your life.

Even through the:

Inconveniences and impossibilities God’s timing was the best

Which view of God’s timing have you used recently?