The Fullness of Time Has Come

The Fullness of Time Has Come

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. Galatians 4:4-­‐7 NRSV

Merry Christmas!

We are now at the end of our Advent journey. We have traveled together for twenty-­‐four days. Hopefully, we did not arrive on this day as though we had fallen out of a car. I pray that everyone reading this devotional has found himself or herself closer to God than when they began this season of preparation. The purpose of this Advent journey was to bring us closer to God who has given us the gift of God’s son, Jesus.

The purpose of God sending God’s son to us was so that we might also become God’s children. Did you realize that you are a child of God? Perhaps you have heard that phrase before and it sounds rather worn out. But if you are child of God, think of what you will inherit! Think of the love that God has for you as one of God’s children! It is like being adopted.

For some of you, being adopted might not sound so pleasant. I remember hearing the story of my grandmother (my father’s mother) saying, “I could never love someone else’s child.” Yet, that is exactly what she and my adoptive parents did when I was adopted at three months of age. I have never felt less loved or less a part of the family. Even after finding my blood mother’s family, I realize how much I was loved from them as well.

God’s love for you as God’s adopted child is incredibly special and not any less than God’s love for Jesus Christ. With the birth of Christ and your own adoption, you are part of the family of God! Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ!

God, we thank you so much for the gift of your son, Jesus, who was born so that we might be adopted into your family! What a gift you have given to each one of us! We thank you and praise you on this holy day! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rev. Amelia Sims