Tuesday August 11th, 2015 Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman? (verse 4)
It’s a little strange to hear a reading at this time of year that sounds like Christmas. Especially from Paul, who doesn’t ever tell the story of Jesus’ birth. And even though we are only four days from observing the feast of Mary, Mother of our Lord, this text really isn’t about either Mary or Jesus. It’s about God. More specifically, it’s about God and us.
Paul reminds the Christians in Galatia, and us as we read these words, of something that is probably the most difficult thing to remember: that we have been adopted as God’s children. Because Jesus is God born into humanity, we humans are born into God.
It’s not following the law that does that. It’s God who does that. It’s God who has redeemed us and given us the greatest gift, the inheritance of God’s grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
How’s that for an early Christmas present?
God of new birth, thank you for the gift of your Son. Thank you for adopting us as your children. Show us how to live in the freedom of your grace. Amen. — JZ
Contributed by Christmas in August
It's a little strange to hear a reading at this time of year that sounds like Christmas. Especially from Paul, who doesn't ever tell the story of Jesus' birth. And even though we are only four days from observing the feast of Mary, Mother of our Lord, this text really isn't about either Mary or Jesus. It's about God. More specifically, it's about God and us.
Paul reminds the Christians in Galatia, and us as we read these words, of something that is probably the most difficult thing to remember: that we have been adopted as God's children. Because Jesus is God born into humanity, we humans are born into God.
It's not following the law that does that. It's God who does that. It's God who has redeemed us and given us the greatest gift, the inheritance of God's grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
How's that for an early Christmas present?
