A Christmas Sermon WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME (Galatians 4:4)

When Paul wrote, “When the fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4), he was not speaking of a date on a calendar but of a divine symphony reaching its crescendo.

Christmas is not merely the story of a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths—it is the moment when eternity stepped into time, when the Ancient of Days took His first breath, when God’s plan, God’s promise, and God’s providence converged in a Bethlehem night.

History had been holding its breath for centuries; prophets had whispered, kings had wondered, angels had watched; and then, like dawn breaking after the longest night, Christ came—right on schedule, right on mission, right into the aching need of the world.

Christmas is heaven’s declaration that God is never rushed, never delayed, and never caught off guard. He arrives in fullness. He arrives with purpose. He arrives for us.

I. THE PLAN OF CHRIST’S COMING — GOD PREPARED THE MOMENT

Paul tells us, “When the fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4), meaning that heaven was not guessing, reacting, or improvising—

Christmas was the unfolding of a plan older than stars.

All of history was a stage God Himself arranged: the cradle was prepared by prophecy (Isaiah 7:14), by promise (Genesis 3:15), and by providence (Micah 5:2).

Nothing was early and nothing was late. God is never before His time and never behind it.

The Roman roads were ready, the Greek language was universal, the Jewish Scriptures were widespread, and the human heart was starving.

Christ came not in chaos but in completeness—God’s perfect plan arriving in God’s perfect moment (Ephesians 1:10).

Christmas is heaven’s reminder that God never misses an appointment.

II. THE PERSON OF CHRIST’S COMING — GOD PROVIDED THE MESSIAH

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Galatians 4:4). The Baby in Bethlehem was not merely the beginning of a life—He was the eternal Son stepping into time (John 1:14). He came “born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4), showing His full humanity; yet He was “sent forth,” showing His full deity.

Jesus is not part God and part man—He is all God and all man.

The incarnation is God bending low enough for man to touch Him and mighty enough that man may worship Him (Philippians 2:6–8).

Christ’s humility is like a king who stepped off his throne, laid aside his royal robes, and wrapped himself in beggar’s clothing—but without ceasing to be the king.

Christmas proclaims that God did not send an angel, a prophet, or a system—He sent Himself.

III. THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S COMING — GOD PURCHASED OUR MERCY

Christ came “to redeem those who were under the law” and to give us “the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5). He did not simply brighten the manger—He broke the chains.

The One who cried in Mary’s arms would one day cry, “It is finished,” upon the cross (John 19:30). Christmas points to Calvary; the cradle casts a shadow shaped like a cross.

He came to redeem, to rescue, to restore, and to bring us home. Christ left the halls of heaven to enter the hut of humanity in order to usher us into the house of God.

This is the purpose of Christmas: that the slaves might become sons, the fearful might become family, and the lost might become beloved (Romans 8:15–17).

Lord Jesus, thank You that in the fullness of time You came—not late, not early, but right on time. Fill our hearts with wonder at Your plan, worship at Your person, and gratitude for Your purpose. Let this Christmas draw us nearer to Your manger and nearer to Your cross, until our whole lives glow with Your redeeming love. Amen.

BDD