Silent Night

"But when the time arrived that was set by the Father, God sent His son , born of  a woman, born under the conditions of the Law so that He might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law."  (Gal 4:4 The Message)

“What time is it?  Time is a wasting!  You cannot get this Time back.  My time is valuable. Time is running out!”         You have heard all of these – maybe even some today!

Soo… TIME – What is it??  Webster has much to say; one definition is ’the entire period of existence of the known universe’; the writer of Ecclesiastes, in Chapter 3, says there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity. We often say ‘in God’s time.”  Is that different? Did you know that there is no Time in eternity?

Christmas is that white –hot moment when Eternity melted into TIME.   (author unknown)

             Silent Night, Holy Night! Son of God ,loves pure light,
             Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,
             Jesus Lord at They birth!  Jesus Lord at Thy birth.
           

Yes, God had a plan even before creating mankind with free will.  Because He sees the beginning and the end as one picture, He knew sin would enter the world and that mankind would choose to go their own way and need a Savior to restore fellowship with Him, a Holy God.  Jesus, Holy Son of God, chose to take upon Himself the sins of the world and be the righteous covering to allow men to come into the presence of God in prayer and for eternity.

Ecclesiastes is not the only Scripture referring to time. There are many and, as one who sews and knits, I enjoy following the threads throughout the Scripture.  Check you concordance, but here are a few relating to Christ among us:

A time for His birth: “But when the time arrived that was set by the Father, God sent His    son , born of  a woman, born under the conditions of the Law so that he might redeem us.” (Gal 4:4 The Message)

A time to preach: “Jesus went into Galilee preaching: ‘Time’s up! God’s Kingdom is here.  Change your life and  believe the Message.”  (Mark 1:15  The Message)

A time for His death: “Who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” I Timothy 2:6  NASB)

A time to spread the gospel: “This is the life God promised long ago – and he doesn’t break promises! And then  when the time was ripe, he went public with his truth.  (Titus 1:3  The Message)

As we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, we are celebrating the fullness of time - before Jesus came the first time as Savior.  There are also time clues about his return as KING of kings.  We enjoy teaching about His return – but will only cite a couple Scriptures here. Not all references use the word time, but we know Daniel’s 70 weeks (Chapter 9)is time oriented and states a specific time after the anti Christ’s  Covenant of Peace with Israel.

I am writing this on December 21 and the world is still here.  But, the Disciples also had questions about the end of time (Luke 21/ Matt 24-25)and, among other responses in this chapter Jesus said many would come in his name and we are not to be deceived.  In verse 8 Jesus says, “the time is near.”  In verse 27 Jesus said, “ …then look up! Your redemption draws near”. One last quote from Revelation 10:6 KJV
“And swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that are therein, and the earth, and the things that are therein, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.”

Time has a beginning and an end but our triune God has none and his love is for eternity.  “For God so loved the world that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16.

Soo young friends, (since we are part of the older than dirt club) have a blessed Christ –filled Christmas and New Year. Celebrate his love, be not deceived, have your lamps trimmed and look up – He is coming again… SOOOOON

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house,

The Bibles were lain of the shelf without care

In hopes that Jesus would not come there.                       Author unknown