Christmas Eve Communion Service - The Perfect Time, The Perfect Gift - Galatians 4:4-5 Series

Christmas Eve Communion Service - The Perfect Time, The Perfect Gift - Galatians 4:4-5

Galatians 4:4-5 (NLT): “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.”

Introduction

Timing is everything. Have you ever had something happen at just the perfect moment—when you needed it the most? Whether it was a word of encouragement, a kind gesture, or a much-needed answer, perfect timing has a way of making us stop and take notice.

As we gather on this holy night, we remember that Christmas isn’t just a celebration of a baby’s birth—it’s the celebration of perfect timing. In Galatians 4:4-5, the Apostle Paul captures the significance of the coming of Christ. These verses show us that Jesus’ birth was no accident; it was God’s deliberate and perfect plan.

Tonight, we’ll explore three truths from this passage:

God’s Perfect Timing.

The Purpose of Jesus’ Coming.

The Gift of Adoption.

And as we conclude, we’ll reflect on the wonder of this gift through Communion, the table that reminds us of the love and sacrifice of our Saviour.

1. God’s Perfect Timing

Paul begins in Galatians 4:4 by saying, “But when the right time came, God sent his Son.”

The Greek phrase here for “the right time” (p????µa t?? ??????, pleroma tou chronou) means “the fullness of time.” It signifies that the timing of Jesus’ arrival was exactly as God planned. The world wasn’t ready by coincidence; it was ready because God ordained it.

Historically, the world was prepared for the arrival of the Messiah:

Politically: The Roman Empire provided relative stability and the infrastructure of roads for spreading the Gospel.

Culturally: The Greek language was widely spoken, making communication accessible.

Spiritually: There was a growing hunger for hope and redemption among the people.

Isaiah 46:10 reminds us, “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” God orchestrated history to ensure Jesus came at the perfect moment.

God’s timing is still perfect in our lives. Sometimes, we grow impatient, but we must trust that He knows what He’s doing. Just as He perfectly timed the arrival of Jesus, He is at work in the details of your life.

Think of a master weaver creating a tapestry. From the back, the threads may look messy and chaotic, but when the work is complete, the beauty of the design is revealed. God is weaving the tapestry of your life, and His timing is always perfect.

As Max Lucado writes, “God’s timing is impeccable. He may not be early, but He’s never late.”

2. The Purpose of Jesus’ Coming

Paul continues, “God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.”

Jesus came with a specific purpose: to redeem us. The word “redeem” (Greek: exagorazo) means “to buy back” or “to purchase freedom.” In the ancient world, slaves could be redeemed—freed—by the payment of a price.

Jesus came to pay the ultimate price for our freedom. Romans 6:23 explains, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Born of a woman: Jesus was fully human, experiencing the struggles and temptations of life.

Subject to the law: Jesus perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the law, something we could never do.

Through His sinless life and sacrificial death, Jesus paid the price to free us from sin and its consequences.

As 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”

This Christmas, don’t just celebrate the baby in the manger—celebrate the Saviour on the cross. He came to set you free!

Imagine being trapped in a dark dungeon with no way out. Then, someone comes and pays the price for your release. That’s what Jesus did for us. His purpose was not just to live but to die so that we might live.

Timothy Keller writes, “Christmas is telling you that you couldn’t get to heaven on your own. God had to come to you.”

3. The Gift of Adoption

Paul concludes, “so that he could adopt us as his very own children.”

Jesus didn’t just come to redeem us; He came to restore our relationship with God. Through faith in Christ, we are no longer slaves—we are children of God.

The term “adopt” (Greek: huiothesia) in Roman culture referred to a legal act that gave someone full rights and privileges of a biological child. It was a powerful transformation of identity and status.