Galatians 4:4-5 informed us that the time was just right when God sent His Son into the world. It says, “…when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the 25 perunlaw, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” It was time for a very significant change in the way man related to God. God had always related to man out of His love for us. But we had related to God on the basis of law. He did not want regulations engraved upon stone. He wanted love in our hearts. But before we could love Him, He had to demonstrate His love for us. Once He did, it changed everything. It destroyed our “religions” and established a new connection with God based on a relationship.

There’s no need to be afraid of God as Adam and Eve who covered themselves and hid from Him in the Garden. There’s no need to run from the God like the Israelites at Sinai when they saw the lightning and smoke and heard the thunderous sounds of judgment. The angel told the shepherds in Luke 2:8-10, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, Don’t be afraid!” Jesus wasn’t coming into the world to condemn them, He was coming into the world to save them! It’s a totally different view of God! It’s time for something totally different.

It took almost 1000 years for the Good News to infiltrate the pagan hearts of the Russians. In Kiev the thunder god, Perun, was “represented in wood on a hill outside the princely palace together with a few other gods. His image was adorned with a head of silver and a beard of bronze. Cattle and even human beings were sacrificed to this god. When in 988 Vladimir was baptized (as a Christian), the idol was dragged into the River Dnieper and the sacrificial grove destroyed.” It’s time for us also, 2000 years later, to drag our idols of religious regulations, rituals, ceremonies and regalia into the river and drown them. It’s not about a “thunder god.” That’s why the Angel in Luke 2:10, goes on to say, “I bring you the most Joyful News ever announced, and it is for everyone!” What’s this great news? Luke 2:11 says, “Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born for you; He is Christ the Lord!” Merry Christmas!