December 11

Galatians 4:4-5

⁴ "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."

Kairos Seasons

by Burt Burleson, D.Min.

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.

The Incarnation... the birth, life, teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus... is a redemptive invitation to our becoming. There are incarnational, Kairos seasons for our becoming. And Advent can be such a time.

The journey of God’s people always and necessarily begins with boundaries and rules. “This is who we are, this is who you are. This is the way we behave and what we believe.”  Everyone in any loving family or community creates this sort of container of expectations full of “thou shalt and thou shalt nots.”  That’s where we begin and what we need for the “first half of life.”  

But the container, necessary as it is, isn’t God. Living within the lines is not the final goal and the Incarnation invites us into the depths of things. Jesus invites us into what is beyond. “You’ve heard it said, but I say to you.” The Apostle Paul, who wrote Galatians was of course dealing with a culture that could be very legalist, where obeying the law was the point, the way to be in relationship to God. He’s writing to Christians who were not Jewish and calling them to see the difference between rules and practices... between traditions and truths... between laws and love. 

The Incarnation is a Kairos season inviting those on the journey to grow and grow into a deeper understanding of and a more personal experience with God. During this Advent season, be watchful for those Kairos moments where you know again that you are known and lovingly held and always... going beyond.  

About the Author

Burt Burleson, D.Min.

Burt Burleson, D.Min., serves as Baylor University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, leading a team of staff to meet the spiritual needs of the Baylor community, while also encouraging and promoting the Christian higher educational environment we are called to foster through Baylor’s mission statement. He is a native Texan who was born in Beaumont and grew up in Dallas. 

Dr. Burleson holds a bachelor's degree from Baylor, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Austin Presbyterian Seminary. After fifteen years in student ministry and pastoral counseling, Burt became the first pastor of the DaySpring Baptist Church in Waco where he served for 12 and a half years. In October of 2007, he left DaySpring to become University Chaplain at Baylor. He and his wife, Julie, have two children; Abby and Brandt.