On time Christmas!

Though many Christians traditionally celebrate Christmas on December 25, no one knows the exact day that Jesus was born. Apparently, the early Christians chose that date because it was already a holiday and they could get together to honor Jesus.

We do know that Jesus was born in the plan and purposes of God. The Star, the Wise Men, the shepherds, and the angels were all part of a grandly orchestrated event emanating from the mind of God. Every detail was precisely positioned at the time that God desired. Nothing was early or late. Christmas was on time.

In Galatians 4:4, the Apostle Paul states, “But when the FULLNESS OF THE TIME was come, God sent forth His Son.” In the designs of God, after all the ages had passed, He determined that the time had come for Jesus to be born on earth. Some may say that it would have been better for Christ to be born before the Flood. Still others think that Christ should have come when Israel was bound up in Babylon. But Man’s ways are not God’s ways. He knows what is best. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The aged Simeon was confused and thought that God was late (Luke 2:25). God had promised him that he would see the Messiah before he died. But now Simeon was old. Maybe God had forgotten. And Anna wondered if she would die before the Messiah came. But as always, God kept His promise with synchronized precision.

Are you like the disciples who thought that Jesus would sleep as they died in the storm (Mark 4)? In panic they tried to “wake up’ Jesus. Do you pray panicked “wake up” prayers? Or perhaps you are more like Martha (John 11), and you are always ready to scold Jesus because your “Lazarus” has died.

Many of us are like Peter (Matthew 26). Fearing that Jesus would be too late to protect Himself, Peter attacked a Roman soldier and cut off his ear. Do you tend to take matters into your own hands thinking that Jesus is “late"?

So many of our worries are rooted in our belief that Jesus is overdue. We anxiously await His healing, or deliverance, or provision. When we don’t get our answer when we think it is the “fullness of time,” we turn our anger toward God. Our lack of faith can lead to even more heartache and disaster.

But Christmas is a strong reminder that God does everything in time and on time. God is never late, He is never shorthanded, and He is totally able to handle the situation. As Paul wrote in Romans 5:6, “For when we were without strength, IN DUE TIME Christ died for the ungodly.”

Calm down and trust God!