“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” –Galatians 4:4-5
Christmas is the annual reminder of the beauty and wonder of God the Son taking on flesh to save sinners. God directed the events of human history, both people and nations, for the redemption of people found in Jesus Christ. Jesus became what He was sent to save, human flesh. Born of a woman, fulfilling God’s promise to the serpent that born of the woman one will come to crush his head. Born under the law to rescue law-breakers cursed under the law and redeem them by perfect obedience to the law. As Athanasius put it, “(Jesus) became what we are that He might make us what He is.”
The inheritance of the full wealth of Jesus the Son of God redeems those adopted into His grace. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing the grand inheritance of Jesus who was sent by the Father “when the fullness of time had come.” As Charles Wesley wrote,
“Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
born to set Thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in Thee.”
The longing of fallen creation, the weary cries for redemption which has been food for God’s people day and night (Psalm 42:3) rejoice finally in Christ born to be the Father’s Suffering Servant to redeem for Himself a people by adoption.
Christmas is about adoption. Though human parents adopting humans is a beautiful display of love, the most gloriously beautiful display of love is found in God the Father adopting sinners through the Son, giving the right to be called children of God those who receive Jesus (John 1:12-13), receiving the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15). And yet, all creation groans as we await eagerly for adoption and redemption to be completed (Romans 8:23).
Advent is about waiting eagerly for our Lord’s return. No longer a slave, the Christian is a child adopted by God awaiting for Jesus to return that we may receive the promised inheritance of everlasting life. The imperishable, unfading inheritance is being kept in heaven for we who believe upon Christ alone for salvation, a precious inheritance guaranteed until we acquire possession of it (Ephesians 1:13-14). The church now waits for the heavenly kingdom to come on earth like Abraham who “was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). In the season of Advent, we wait with hope for this unseen, far kingdom, this promised inheritance in Christ, with patience (Romans 8:25).
Heavenly Father, our hearts rejoice in this great salvation in Christ, the Son You have sent to redeem Your adopted people. What wonder of wonders that Jesus would take on flesh to save flesh, to adopt as children those slaves to sin by freeing us in His death and granting hope of the coming kingdom in His resurrection. Fill us with Your hope, O Lord, as we wait for it with patience. We receive Your free mercies with grateful hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
