In The Fullness of Time

Just last year Stella and I had something happen that stopped us in the middle of our tracks and caused us to really consider a few things. We were decorating the house for Christmas—lights up, tree glowing, music on in the background. It was one of those moments that should have felt peaceful, should have felt festive and - Hallmark style, hot coffee show and glowing christmas wonder. But instead - we stopped, looked at each other and asked:

“Why does Christmas still feel stressful if it’s about Jesus?”

I didn’t have an immediate answer. And maybe there is not a good answer to that question. But the truth is, for so many people, Christmas shows up right in the middle of mess:

financial pressure

strained relationships

unresolved grief

unanswered prayers

But, Christmas has always arrived in the middle of disruption. The miracle of Christmas came when nothing was settled. Look at how the Christmas story begins. Luke 1:5

Luke 1:5 NASB95

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

It begins with “In the days of Herod”. Many read right past this glancing thought without pausing - but let’s pause here for just a moment and consider the season that Jesus was born in.

1. Herod was a murderer — even of his own family

Herod the Great ruled through paranoia and bloodshed.

He executed two of his own sons because he feared they might take his throne

He murdered his wife Mariamne, [ mary - AM - nee] whom he claimed to love deeply

He ordered the execution of political rivals without trial

The Roman Emperor Augustus famously said: “It is better to be Herod’s pig than his son.”

2. He ordered the killing of every male child two years and under

When Herod heard about a “king of the Jews,” Matthew 2 tells us he ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem and surrounding areas, ages two and under.

Jesus was born under an active death threat

Mary raised her newborn knowing soldiers could knock at any door

The incarnation entered the world already hunted

This is not “silent night.” This is survival.

3. Herod rebuilt the Temple for political legitimacy, not spiritual renewal

Josephus (first-century Jewish historian) records that around 20–19 BC, Herod rebuilt the Temple to secure loyalty, not because of personal devotion. From the outside, worship looked impressive, yet from the inside, it was compromised.

Priests were politically controlled

Religious leaders were entangled with power

Faith had become performance and survival

4. Herod died shortly after Jesus’ birth — but the damage lingered

Herod feared that no one would mourn his death. Flavius Josephus (1st-century Jewish historian), in his book Antiquities of the Jews - wrote:

… he commanded that the principal men of the nation should be assembled … and should be put to death at his decease, so that their lamentations might have some appearance of sorrow for him.”

The Fullness of Time

Which brings us to Galatians 4:4

Galatians 4:4 NASB95

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

Not when things were calm.

Not when the people were ready.

Not when conditions were ideal.

But at the exact moment God deemed right. The “fullness of time” does not mean life was full of peace, the world was settled, that mankind was excited about the Messiah. No, It means Heaven waited for the right time according to the Fathers design. What looked like delay in the eyes of man, was design according to God.

Gods Wonders Among Turmoil

We often love the idea of a miracle, most of us pray for a miracle at some point in our life. But, in order to have a miracle, we must be in need of one. Scripture reveals that God works when the world is in turmoil.

Israel’s deliverance — freedom comes after ten plagues, national collapse, and death

The Red Sea — God does not part the waters before Israel is trapped. He moves when the enemy is behind them and fear is in front of them.

The early Church — the gospel spreads not through comfort, but through persecution and scattering

God does not avoid chaos.He steps into it and reorders it.

CHRISTMAS REDEFINED

And I think that we need to remember this about Christ in this season. So often we approach Christmas with expectations of perfection. Christmas is not the celebration of perfection,

A Hallmark moments,

A polished family photo

A season where everything finally works out

Instead, Christmas is the declaration that Jesus is Lord in the middle of human brokenness.

He dwells in imperfect situations

He rules over unstable seasons

He is not threatened by our disorder

Christmas reminds us that God does not wait for the storm to pass. He comes in the storm — and brings His presence with Him.

The Fullness of Time Defined

When Paul wrote to the church of Galatia stating that Christ came - “In the fullness of time”, He is not describing the condition of the world — He is describing the confidence of God. This means God moves when you cannot move. We often say that someone has “hit rock bottom”. The truth is, God often waits until human solutions are exhausted before He reveals His divine plan.

Rome couldn’t fix the world.

Religion couldn’t heal the heart.

Power couldn’t bring peace.

That is when God sent His Son Jesus

The Fullness of Time doesn’t mean everything is together, storybook endings, instagram perfection. The fullness of time means, we’ve reached the end of ourselves, end and are ready for a Savior.

Christ In The Valley

Maybe we’ve done Christmas an injustice. We’ve turned it into a season of perfection — where everything has to be just right. But the truth is… it rarely is.

We’re stressed about how to afford all the presents.

Rushing to get everything wrapped in time.

Wondering how all the food will get cooked.

Quietly asking if family will actually get along this year.

Somewhere along the way, we set a standard of perfection and lowered our tolerance for imperfection. And that pressure was never part of the story. Maybe we need to redefine Christmas.

It’s not about the presents, the decorations, or the amazing food. Those things aren’t wrong — they’re just signposts, not the destination.

The tree reminds us of the Cross

The lights remind us of the Gospel — light shining in darkness

The gifts remind us of salvation freely given

All of it points to Jesus. We are celebrating a Savior who came “in the fullness of time” — when humanity had reached its limit, when the world had met its match, when human solutions had run out. Christmas declares that Jesus is Lord of the mess.

Not just Lord of the polished moments.

Not just Lord of the quiet nights.

But Lord of broken stories, unfinished lives, and imperfect people.

And that’s why Christmas still matters. Because God didn’t wait for us to clean things up. He came right in the middle of it.

Christmas isn’t about everything being right — it’s about Jesus stepping in when nothing is.

Salvation Response

Tonight - as we are talking about the fullness of time - I want you to hear something deeply personal: Maybe tonight is your “fullness of time”.

Not because you have arrived at perfection

Not because you’ve finally shook free of that bad habit

But because you have reached the end of yourself.

Because Jesus has forgiven your sins, paid the price they have demanded, and called you his own! Jesus didn’t come for those who have it all together - He came for those who don’t.

If you feel:

tired of carrying the weight

aware that something is missing

distant from God

or unsure where you stand with Him

This moment is not accidental, it’s ordained by God just for you. Tonight, I want to invite you to receive the greatest gift ever given — not wrapped under a tree, but offered through a Savior.

John 1:12 NASB95

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

If you’re here tonight and you would say: I want to begin a relationship with Jesus, or I want to come back to Him, or I’m ready to stop running and receive grace, I want to pray with you. Simply raise your hand right now.

KEEP YOUR HANDS RAISED HIGH - I HAVE A PRAYER PARTNER COMING TO PRAY WITH YOU

“Heavenly Father, I trust You to save me through Your Son, Jesus. Forgive me for all of my sins. Make me brand new. Because You died for me, I want to live for You. Fill me with Your Spirit, so I could follow You. Jesus, You’re now my Lord and the Savior of my life. Take my life. It is Yours. In Jesus’ name, I pray.”