Luke 2:1 "And it came to pass in those days..."
There are some words in the Bible that we might be guilty of overlooking. The
above words might possibly be some that fit that category; yet, they are most
important in the total picture of God's amazing grace. In these first
five words, we can see God's purpose being carried out. It came to pass
that "a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name
Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) It came to pass that "unto us a child
is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
"It came to pass in those days..." that God began to fulfill
the covenant (promise) of redemption. After Christ finished the work on the
cross, Paul wrote, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent
forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem
them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
(Galatians 4:4-5) In this Christmas season, we can rejoice that "it
came to pass in those days." The virgin did conceive. A child was
born. A Son was given. Redemption was accomplished by that One whose name is
Emmanuel.