Galatians 4:4-5 - In the Fullness of Time: Relying Upon the One Who Can Relate

Away in a Manger is one of the most beloved Christmas carols for children. Sung softly as a lullaby, the lyrics remind us of Jesus’ humble beginnings. You can imagine Mary rocking the newborn baby Jesus in her arms, then gently laying him in the hay. The second verse continues this peaceful scene of nativity, “The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes…” New parents everywhere freeze in both wonder and disbelief. Baby Jesus didn’t cry? What kind of baby was he?

This Advent season, we’re reflecting on an ancient Christmas hymn found in Galatians 4:4-5, which forms the objective basis for the doctrine of justification by faith. These two verses tell us about the person and saving work of God in Christ. In the first line of our hymn, we saw that salvation was God’s idea, decided before the creation of the world, which He brought to fulfillment according to His perfect timing. The second line tells us what that plan was. God sent forth His Son. When God sent forth His Son, He didn’t send a surrogate. He came Himself. Jesus, the Eternal Son, was the only one capable of accomplishing what we could not by our own effort. So, how was it that the eternally existent Son entered into history to save humanity? How did that work exactly? The third line of our hymn tells us. He was born of a woman.

Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of the virgin Mary with a body. He grew. He got tired, thirsty, hungry, and became physically weak. He suffered and died. Not only did Jesus have a human body, he also had a human heart with all the emotions, a human mind, and a human will. Jesus was fully human. Contrary to the beloved children’s carol, baby Jesus indeed cried.

Jesus was like us in every way, with only one distinction. He was without sin. Jesus revealed what humanity was truly intended to be. He became fully man so that he might save us in full. Therefore, you can entrust every part of your life to Him: your body, emotions, thoughts, relationships, time, and future. We can rely upon His mercy and grace in all things.