Lauren, our firstborn, didn’t arrive as expected. About 4 weeks before her due date I heard the office phone ringing after Sunday evening worship. Cindy had stayed home not feeling quite right and was calling to say something was quite wrong. We would learn later that evening that she had suffered Placenta Previa which had kicked her into labor. A long labor lasting almost 24 hours. When the doc stopped in Monday evening to check her progress again, he looked at me and said it’s time…now! He took the foot of the bed, told me to take the head of the bed, and we rolled Cindy into the delivery room. In a matter of moments our daughter was crying and we were smiling. (Or at least I was. Cindy was rather exhausted for some reason.)

From a human standpoint, Jesus’ birth could have gone better. A late-term trip for Mary by foot and donkey. No room in the Inn. A feed trough for a crib. Shepherds from “out in the fields” busting up into the scene (you know they looked and smelled good). Not exactly the sterile and secure birthing suites we’ve become accustomed to.

Yet from a Divine perspective, it was perfect. The right time. The right place. The right way.

God orchestrated everything from world powers to a “No Vacancy” sign to an angelic chorus to a star for this particular moment. Down to the century, decade, year, month, week, day, hour, minute and second, the fullness of time was kept.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son.” (Galatians 4:4)

God was not befuddled by the rise and fall of world empires. He reigned over it all – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome – to accomplish His redemptive purpose in Christ.

The feed trough turned baby bed was not an avoidable mistake; it was a message. Paul tells us that the eternal Christ “made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men…” (Philippians 2:7) At His birth, the Christ is identified with those who have no home in this world: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted.

The very imagery of the Christmas narrative declares God’s love for the hurting, longing, empty soul.

The angel comforted the shepherds with good news: “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

For the distraught and despairing soul trapped under the weight of sin, mired in unrighteousness, miserably failing and miles apart from God, this is still good news. The Child born that night would give Himself a sacrifice on the cross so that you might become God’s child. Will you believe in Jesus, confessing that He is the Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead?

For the frightened believer whose faith seems weak against unexpected and overwhelming circumstances, this is still good news. In Jesus you are a child of God and the Father who ordered the universe for that night so long ago holds your days in His hands. He will never leave you nor forsake you and in the fullness of time He will send your Savior for you.