Theologians have considered this verse the first biblical prophecy pointing toward the Messiah. At the Fall, God already had a plan in place.  All was not lost when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. God would not lose man that easily. Instead, He would destroy the deceiver and restore the loving relationship He had with man. He made a promise that one day, Eve’s offspring, though wounded by the Serpent, would crush his head. God keeps His promises. Paul tells us, in Galatians 4:4, that God acted on His promise. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. At just the right time, Jesus came. When all of the pieces were in place, when God’s perfect time had come, He sent His son. Jesus came. Thousands of years transpired between the promise and its fulfillment. But, again, when the time was right, the promise was realized. There’s more. Not only was the Serpent’s head crushed by God’s Son, but a way was made for man to “receive the full rights of sons.” The promise included the possibility of becoming a part of God’s family.

Promises, Christmas, and family; they go together. Christmas is a season that holds great promise. Think of how your children’s or grandchildren’s eyes light up with expectation at the thought of Christmas. Think of their wonder at the sights and sounds of the season. Wonderful things can happen, and we hope they do. We look forward to seeing the expected come to fruition. We want to see wishes and dreams come true. We make promises to ourselves that this year will be different, that it will be better than last year, that it will be a Christmas the family will never forget, that you will get a particular project or present completed or purchased for this Christmas. We make promises to others, too. These are not idle or fanciful aspirations, they are goals and ambitions that will carry special significance this month. Each of us has goals and ambitions specific to Christmas, but obligations, activities, and distractions prevent us from reaching all of our expectations. We just can’t keep all of those promises. Don’t let that diminish the joy and anticipation. Remember there is One for whom this is not true.

God made a promise, and thousands of years of man’s disobedience and rebellion did not distract Him. No other obligations, responsibilities, or activities caused Him to lose track of time. Our need did not slip His mind. No, when the time was right, Jesus came. Today, reflect on God’s faithfulness and let it motivate the same in you. Like God, determine to be a person who keeps his oath even when it hurts, … Psalm 15:4b. It can be the best December ever!
 

Jay W. Hill