"But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son ..." ~ Galatians 4:4a, KJV

Are we there yet? How much further? When do we eat? When do we open our gifts? What did you buy me? Is that all there is? When can we go home? Why do you drive so slow? How come we have so much road construction? I just knew we'd be late! I like to refer to these complaining questions as "the noise of the holidays."   

We all suffer from the distractions and bad situations during the holiday season. A few years ago, I read a news story about a man who "planted" a stringy Christmas tree in a pothole, in the street in front of his house. He and his neighbors decorated it with tinsel, ornaments and a large star for the top. As I thought about that holiday decoration, I realize again that often the spirit of Christmas can make a bad situation better ... or at least spread the Christmas joy.   

Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to this earth to introduce joy, at just the right time. Scripture refers to it as "the fullness of the time." It was more than just a date on the calendar or an hour in a day. Two thousand years ago,  there came a night when the fullness of time was realized.    

Throughout the Old Testament, there were numerous promises and prophecies made concerning the birth of the Christ child; including that he would be born of a virgin in the city of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). 

God's people knew about the promise of the Messiah, they had heard the prophets who foretold his coming ... they were more than ready, but it was not yet time. Many began to question God's promise; they even started to wonder if God had forgotten. Yet, God's timing was different, it required "fullness"... it was, and may still be different from our expectations.    

Since we operate in a world ordered by time,  we may have our own ideas about God's schedule. When we ask for an answer to prayer, we often expect a quick response. We look around and see the unease in the world, and a "lot of potholes, " and question what God is going to do about it ... and when. We consider the plight of the poor, the disenfranchised, the sick, the hungry; we look anxiously for some sign that God has a solution to these challenges on his calendar. We just wish time would speed up. We must realize, however, the world doesn't always dance in time with our desires. We must trust in divine timing.   

It was a mundane and ordinary night when Jesus was born; but it became a glorious night of joy and fulfillment. The plan of Father God through the ages was introduced to the world ... at just the right time.   

There was more to that night than a babe in a manager. God had more in mind in sending his son than a holiday. He planned this event before the world was even formed, and he did it in his own perfect time.   

God did a wonderful thing for the world that night in Bethlehem and continues to work in our lives today. He does it in his time ... just the right time, the perfect time ... yes, the fullness of time!   

"In his time, in his time, he makes all things beautiful in his time. Lord, please show me every day, as you're teaching me your way, that you do just what you say, in your time." ~ Diane Bell

— Dan Van Ommen is a Zeeland resident and a member of the Reformed Church in America. Contact him at dan.vanommen@gmail.com.