It’ s Christmas Eve.  And I’ve been thinking. Why this night?

Out of all the nights since time began, why was this the night that changed everything?   We sometimes ask, why a virgin?  Why Mary?  Why a stable?  Why shepherds?  But today I got wondering, why this night?

We’ll never know for sure. “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” (Acts 1:7).  But that doesn’t stop me from wondering about it.

It had been prophesied.  It had been promised.  There were a lot of people waiting for it.  And probably a lot of people who wondered what was taking God so long.  Wouldn’t sooner have been better rather than later? 

Sometimes I wonder if God just has to smile at our ignorance and our questions.  I can hear Him say, “Oh My little child, you have no idea how to comprehend My thoughts and My plans and My calendar.  When are you going to learn to trust Me?  When are you going to learn to rest in My timing?”

I’m glad that it was this night.  I’m glad that the Christmas story has a whole lot to teach me about patience and waiting and trust and God’s perfect timing.  One day earlier would have been too soon.  One day later would have been too late.  This night was right on time.

God’s time.

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman…  Galatians 4:4

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… 2 Peter 3:9