In the fulness of time

Have you ever thought about the world Jesus was born into?

Of course, the set-up for His arrival began before the foundation of the world, but we can see precise pieces being set into place decades, and even centuries ahead of time:

Synagogues. Where did they come from? Nobody is really sure: perhaps from the ministry of Ezra, when the exiles returned from Babylon. But there they were, all over Israel, and in the Jewish communities worldwide. Ready for Jesus to come and say, “The Kingdom is near!” Ready for the good news brought by Paul.

Hellenism. The popular Greek culture, spread by Alexander the Great and his successors. Pagan, secular, a siren song to some of the chosen people. Means of ousting the true high-priestly line and corrupting its replacement. Unwitting aid to hunger for true godliness among God’s people. Source of a world language, ready for the writing of the gospel story.

Antiochus IV. Pagan ruler of Israel, brutally enthusiastic in his attempts to spread Hellenism. Calling himself “God made manifest,” he defiled the Temple, and sparked the uprising of…

The Maccabees. A single Jewish family who rallied the nation to withstand the blasphemous claims of Antiochus IV and his attempt to force pagan Greek culture on their people. Ensured that there would still be a Jewish nation into which a very important baby would be born 160 years later. Cleansed the Temple in which He could preach. And converted the Edomites to Judaism, one of whose descendants was…

Herod the Great, who rebuilt that Temple. The one whose paranoia fit him to fulfill prophecy by killing the babies of Bethlehem (all but one). The one whose heavy-handed provocation of the Jewish people provoked a heavy-handed takeover by…

The Romans, who completely crushed Jewish sovereignty, further whetting hunger for the Messiah. Called the census which meant that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Built the roads on which His couriers would travel, and enforced the worldwide “peace” which gave them freedom to do so. Appointed Pilate, the man who condemned the Lamb of God to death.

Joseph. A godly foster father as unselfish as Boaz, who knew, when he married Ruth, that his firstborn son would carry the name of another.

Mary. A young woman, who was willing to sacrifice her good name because she believed the impossible things God told her would happen.

A culture of hospitality. Because Abraham’s descendents never forgot that their forefather entertained angels unaware, they sheltered Messiah without knowing it. All in the context of a village too small for an inn, and plenty of…

Family. Some obscure descendants of David, gathered in an extended-family home in Bethlehem. Enough relatives to completely fill the guest room, with no space left over for an expectant mother.

A manger. Perhaps in a warm, cave-like  basement storeroom, where a few animals took refuge from the cold, along with…

God made manifest. Messiah. King. Shoot from the roots of David. Lamb of God. Morning Star. Emmanuel.