When the Apostle Paul talked about the “fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4), he was giving the earliest written account of the birth of Christ.

Galatians is one of the first books of the New Testament, having been written by Paul in approximately AD 49. The writing occurred shortly before the Jerusalem Council of AD 50 (Acts 15). All four of the gospels were written in the 60’s AD and later.

In this epistle to the churches where Paul had focused his first missionary journey, Paul reminds them of what he had undoubtedly taught on that journey.

Here are several truths that stand out.

First, God sent forth His Son. In the fullness of time, God purposefully and deliberately sent His Son into the world. This did not just happen. It came in the fullness of time and at the direct work of the Father.

Second, all three persons of the trinity are prominently displayed in this passage. God sent His Son (Galatians 4;4) to redeem those under the law that we might receive the adoption as sons. God then sent forth (the same word for sent forth in 4:4) the Spirit of His Son into our hearts.

Third, the Spirit came when redemption came. The gift of the Spirit did not wait for a later time. As Paul wrote in Romans 8, to receive Christ is by necessity to receive His Spirit. We do not have Christ without the Spirit (Romans 8:9).

Fourth, notice that Paul pictures One who is fully God, fully man. “God sent forth His Son” who was “born of woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:5).

Finally, notice why Jesus came. He came to redeem those under the law that we might receive adoption as sons. He came to free us from slavery and declare us to be His sons.

There is no manger, wise men, or shepherds, but there is the declaration that God sent forth His Son born under the law and born of woman to bring us new life in Him.

This is the amazing story of Christmas. O come let us adore Him.