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Are You Ready for Christmas?

Are You Ready for Christmas?

Jesus Christ came into the world at the right time, God’s time, as we read in:
(Romans 5:6).For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

(Galatians 4:5-6)

4But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

What made the time of Christ’s coming the “due time,” “the fullness of time?” In the economy of God, the world was made spiritually, politically, and socially ready to receive the Saviour.

Spiritual Readiness
Before Jesus came, the dominant Greek and Roman societies were polytheistic; they were notorious for the worship of many gods (Acts 17:22, 23). According to George Knowles, "The gods were conceived as more heroic in stature, more outstanding in beauty and proportion, and more powerful and enduring than humans.  Humans could die, but the gods lived on.  Nevertheless, they were endowed with many human weaknesses.  They could be jealous, envious, spiteful and petty. Among them only Zeus (Greek) or Jupiter (Roman) was known as “Just.”

By the time Jesus came many of the worshippers of these gods had become exhausted, disgusted, and disenchanted with worshipping gods who were no better than they themselves, yet enjoyed so much privilege and commanded such great authority over them. They were prepared for a spiritual change or shift.

God also used the Law as part of spiritual preparation for Christmas, especially in His dealings with the Jewish people, for Paul says in (Gal. 3:24) that “…the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”

 

Political and Social Readiness
Greece, as the Super Power under Alexander the Great, spread its influence far and wide. Much of the then world was Hellenized i.e. adopted Greek culture and language. This explains the fact that the New Testament was given to us by God in the then universal language, Greek.

The Romans who wrested power from the Greeks left their own imprint that became part of divine readiness for Christmas. Under the Romans there was peace and security, what was known then as “Pax Romana.” Communication was easier and travel was safer. Remnants of the good roads built by the Romans can still be found in some parts of Europe today. This political/social setting presents the “… due time,” the “right time,” “the fullness of the time” in which “… God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law....” (Rom. 5:6; Gal. 4:4).

Are You Ready for Christmas
How ready you are for Christmas is not in Commercialism - - increased volume of buying and selling; it is not in partying, giving and receiving of gifts. Are you ready spiritually in terms of your inner relationship with Jesus Christ; have you welcomed Him into your life as your Saviour and Lord? Are you ready socially in terms of your outward relationship with the community of people around you? Do you love them as you love yourself?  Jesus is coming again, not as a Baby born in a manger, but as a conquering King and judge! He could come any time, perhaps sooner than we expect!
Consider (1 John 3:1-3):" 1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

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