#3 – The Gift of Christmas

A GIFT WORTH WAITING

‘And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, into the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought back her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.’ Luke 2:1-7
‘But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the Galatians 4:4-5
‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; and a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.’ ‘He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.’ Eccliastes3:1-8, 11.

Luke 2:7a; ‘And she gave birth to her firstborn son…’
Galatians 4:4a; ‘And God sent forth his Son…’

Luke 2:6b; ‘….The days were accomplished that she should be delivered.’
Galatians 4:4; ‘But when the fullness of time was come, God set forth his Son..’

LOOK AT MARY... THE TIMING OF GOD WAS NOT CONVENIENT
Marriage Wasn’t Consumated
Birth Of Child Wasn’t At Home Where She Would Feel Secure
The Census
A Strange Town With No ‘Support System’ Available
Inadequate Housing
IN THE SHORT TIME, GOD’S TIMING IS MANY TIMES NOT CONVENIENT
IN THE BIG PICTURE… GOD’S TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT
In Light Of Prophecy
In Light Of History
CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT GOD’S TIMING IN OUR LIVES… THE LITTLE COINCIDENCES…