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Christmas Season · Solemnity of Mary: The Holy Mother of God · Year A

Galatians 4:4-7

Sent in the Fullness of Time

January 1, 2026

The Nativity with God the Father and the Holy Ghost, Giambattista Pittoni
The Nativity with God the Father and the Holy Ghost, Giambattista Pittoni, about 1740The National Gallery, London
God the Father leans out of the clouds above the stable with the dove of the Spirit before him, while below Mary uncovers the newborn on the straw and Joseph sleeps.But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law … And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”Giambattista PittoniA Venetian painter of Tiepolo’s generation, admired for his light colour and graceful figures.The National Gallery, LondonThe National Gallery, London.The National Gallery, London
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:16-21Lk 2:16-21
Second ReadingGal. 4:4-7Gal 4:4-7
First ReadingNum. 6:22-27Nm 6:22-27
Responsorial PsalmPs. 67:2-3, 5, 6+8 (2a)Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6+8 (2a)

Overview & Insights

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman.” (Galatians 4:4)

This is the closest Paul comes anywhere to a nativity, and it is entirely functional: no place, no date, no mother named, only the fullness of time and a Son sent, born of a woman and born under the law (v. 4). The two phrases pair with the two purposes of verse 5, redemption for those under the law and adoption for all. His argument since 3:23 has run on the figure of the minor under a guardian, and the change of status described is legal, from slave to son to heir (v. 7). The cry Abba in verse 6 is one of the few Aramaic words the Greek-speaking churches kept, and Paul uses it again in the parallel passage at Romans 8:15-17, where the Spirit’s witness makes the same point. On a feast honoring the mother, the text explains what her son’s birth accomplished.

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Commentary

Commentary on Galatians 4:4-7Commentary on Gal 4:4-7 Working Preacher

The RCL Name of Jesus commentary on God sending the Son, born of a woman, to make us heirs.

Galatians 4:4-7 CommentaryGal 4:4-7 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed commentary on the fullness of time, redemption, and adoption as children.

Galatians 4 Commentary: Heirs and Slaves, Grace and LawGal 4 Commentary: Heirs and Slaves, Grace and Law Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on the chapter.

Galatians 4 CommentaryGal 4 Commentary Precept Austin

In-depth study notes and cross references on sonship and the Spirit of adoption.

Galatians 4:4 CommentariesGal 4:4 Commentaries BibleHub

Compiled classic commentaries on born of a woman, born under the law.

Background & Word Study

Book of Galatians Summary | Watch an Overview VideoBook of Gal Summary | Watch an Overview Video BibleProject

An animated overview of Paul's argument about the gospel and freedom.

Galatians 4:4 InterlinearGal 4:4 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word-by-word interlinear of the fullness of time passage.

The Church Fathers

Galatians 4 - Catena Bible & CommentariesGal 4 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comments gathered verse by verse on adoption and the sending of the Son.

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