But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son… Galatians 4:4

Ok, it’s crunch time; Wednesday afternoon and my personal to-do list is as clean and untouched as new-fallen snow. I’ve already rescheduled one appointment (sorry Andy!). More “adjustments” are coming. The hand-crafted gift baskets with homemade jams and ornaments that I wanted to give to the church staff will have to wait for another year.

Why are the words “Christmas” and “rush” so often synonymous? I begin the season (and my life) with the best of intentions, but before I know it the schedule just seems out of control. Balls get dropped. Deadlines are missed. Good intentions remain unfulfilled.

Sure, smile smugly to yourself but I saw your desperate confessions on Facebook- you’re deep in the weeds too! You and I will start a group “Procrastinator’s Anonymous”… tomorrow; no, make that next year.

I guess that’s why Galatians 4:4 is such a great comfort. When it came to providing a Savior for the world, God didn’t miss any deadlines. He didn’t procrastinate or fail to plan. He wasn’t one second late; Jesus came right on time. God knew the plan all along.

Now, I doubt it felt that way to Mary or Joseph! Traveling nine months pregnant from Nazareth to Bethlehem didn’t feel well planned, nor did the frantic search for hotel accommodations when they arrived. I wonder how they felt when they ultimately ended up in a stable. There’s an awful lot of drama behind those diplomatic words of Scripture,

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).”

Sometimes It’s tough to rest in or even see God’s perfect timing when life gets crazy.

So maybe some things won’t get done. Perhaps your expectations will be forcibly “recalibrated” several times this week. It may be that your celebration will be less than perfect, your extended family will misbehave, and everyone will secretly “re-gift” your presents. Whatever happens, can you rest in confidence that somewhere in the mess of Christmas Christ will be revealed? And it will be God’s perfect timing. Jesus will be born in me exactly according to God’s plan and right on time.

Whew… the pressure is off!