“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

Galatians 4:4–5

Year after year, it’s easy to get wrapped up in celebrating the familiar story of a baby born

in a manger to a virgin named Mary. While that is true and beautiful, these verses in Galatians remind us of another powerful aspect of the Christmas story: the story of adoption. Throughout this chapter, Paul proclaims that we can be transformed from being slaves under the “spiritual forces of the world” to becoming “sons” and “heirs” in God’s family. How incredible is that! And this miracle didn’t happen by accident—it happened when “the set time had fully come.” Every minute detail, from the Roman census that placed Mary and Joseph in a town with no room left, to the arrival of the shepherds, was part of God’s greater plan. That same amount of care and intentionality has been spent on your story, too. God sent His Son, Jesus, to live the perfect life we never could and die the death we deserved, so that we could be adopted into His family. That is the powerful gospel of Christ, and that is what Christmas is truly about!

This adoption through Jesus is more than just a legal process; it’s a lifelong commitment

to a new family, with a new way of life and a new identity. This verse is especially meaningful to me because I have family members who are adopted, and I cannot imagine my life without them.Through them and their lives, I can see a glimpse of what God has done for each one of us through Jesus: a story of Him pursuing and choosing us to be part of His family. We are fully known by God—the parts of us we’re proud of and the parts we’d rather hide. Yet He still chose

to make the greatest sacrifice of all, sending His Son so that we could be reconciled to Him. Through Christ, our entire story changes: “The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Because of Christ, we have a new identity, a new name, and a new home. We no longer 

have to look to our friends, sports, academics, or the world to define us or fulfill us—because Jesus already does. That is the true mission and awe of Christmas: an epic story of redemption, restoration, and incorporation into God’s family as His sons and daughters through Jesus. God

delights in bringing us home to where we truly belong—with Him. This deep sense of belonging can only come from Christ and His love for us; every other sense of “belonging” is shallow and will eventually fade or disappoint. However, when you make being a son or daughter of God your identity—your true home—there’s no room to doubt whether you belong, because you have already been chosen and redeemed.

This Christmas, let us rejoice in the fact that Jesus’ coming in the manger was the beginning of our story of adoption into the best family imaginable. No matter who you are or what your background is, God has pursued you and chosen you to be part of His family. Rest in that truth and allow it to become your identity!

Merry Christmas!

Emma Hodges