When the fullness of the time came,
God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman,
born under the Law (Gal. 4:4)
As a Muslim-background believer in Christ, I greatly appreciate the major Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter. We must, of course, look past the glitz of commercialism and easter candy. Then, we can see clearly to the Birth and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
At Christmas, it is common to focus on the “Christmas Story” of Luke 2, or Matthew 1 and 2. I also noticed a certain gem of a Christmas verse—Galatians 4:4—quoted above. It breaks down into four clauses. Each phrase provides divine wisdom, which Muslims consider scandalous to embrace. Yet, for believers in Christ, they are true Christmas gifts—as were the gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the wise men of antiquity. I will make brief mention of each.
1. When the fullness of time came…
Islam, like Christianity and Judaism, portrays a deity who is eternal, while we mortals live here in the world of space and time. Christmas celebrates both the Advent of Christ and the Incarnation of God. Islam strongly rejects the temporal manifestation or incarnation of God. This teaching posits that people who are already prone to idolatry could easily associate partners with Allah. Therefore, the Almighty steers clear of the temporal world.
In the context of Galatians 4:4, history itself turned when the eternal God stepped into space and time (even our calendar is marked BC or AD). Since we are sinners incapable of saving ourselves, that “fullness of time” came just in the nick of time. Ever since the Fall of Adam and Eve, humanity was yearning for a savior. That Savior, Jesus Christ, showed up at just the right time!
Here we are. The span of our life is determined by God. If one walks through a cemetery, one can observe the dates on the tombstones of those who lived in previous centuries. Yet, God has determined that our generation should be alive together in this place and time. Some will die soon and pass into eternity. Others have recently been born as little babies. Nevertheless, during Christmas 2024, we are here living together. Each person and each relationship we experience is a precious gift from God.
2. God sent forth His Son…
Whether it is military, ministry, or business, one principle remains the same: If you want to get the job done, you must send your best. God did so 2,000 years ago by sending His Son. The eternal Son of God came to save mortal sinners like us.
Again, Islam rejects this altogether for several reasons. Since Allah of the Qur’an is a monad, no Trinity, Son of God, or Heavenly Father can exist. If there is no Son of God, he cannot be sent.
The Bible, rather, gives us a true and accurate picture of what actually happened. At that certain time in history, God sent forth His Son. All of this had been prophesied. The prophet Micah stated:
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago ,From the days of eternity. (Micah 5:2)
Not only did Micah predict the place of Messiah’s birth, but he also paints a picture of him stepping from eternity into time. The Son of God had been sent forth “from long ago, from the days of eternity!
3. Born of a woman…
The Virgin Mary plays a central role in the Christmas Story. The humble young woman from the tribe of Judah would give birth to Immanuel—God with us.
Mary constitutes a fascinating figure in Islam. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an. Neither Muhammad’s mother, Amina, nor his daughter, Fatima, nor any of his wives are mentioned by name. In the Muslims’ holy book, Jesus is regularly called “Isa son of Mary.” So Islam seems to have some fascination with the woman Christians understand accepted the angelic call so that God would be “born of a woman.”
We also observe that Islam diminishes and subordinates women as second-class persons. While many Muslim women exhibit wisdom, creativity, and brilliance, they do so in spite of Islam rather than because of it.
Jesus, the one born of a woman with no earthly father, perhaps lifted women as did no other person in history. His interactions with Mary Magdalene, Martha, and Mary, the Woman at the Well, the Syrophoenician Woman, as well as with His own Mother, Mary, simply scratch the surface of how Jesus incorporated women into His life and ministry.
4. Born under the Law…
Muslims know what it is like to be “under the Law.” However, their law is not the divinely-given Law of Moses, but Islamic Shariah Law.
Jesus was born and submitted himself to the Law of God. He was Torah observant and indeed never sinned. Jesus’ sinless life was required so He could provide the perfect and eternal sacrifice. This He would do on Calvary’s cross, but that is the Easter Story—today we are talking about Christmas!
We must consider this the greatest of Christmas gifts—that the Son of God came and lived under the Law to redeem us from the penalty of breaking the Law. Moreover, He brought us into relationship with the Father as His beloved children. The passage concludes:
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. (Gal. 4:4-7, emphasis added)
We are now children of God! We only have this privilege because at just the right time, God sent Jesus, through the Virgin Mary, to live under the Law so He could make a way for us to become His children!
Merry Christmas!
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