“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son …” – Galatians 4:4a

It may be August, but today’s reading takes us back to a Christmas decades ago.

The sky was blue. The Honolulu Star Bulletin for December 7, 1941 noted, “Following is a schedule of Christmas events and parties, many of the latter arranged especially for service men, to be held in Honolulu between now and the end of the year.”

That morning, those servicemen may have read the paper, marked their calendars, and reveled in anticipation of open homes, churches, and events where they would be welcomed as honored guests.

Perhaps they imagined the tastes and smells of Christmas and were comforted from their loneliness at being away from home and family.

Perhaps they remarked that it they had to be away, Hawaii was the best assignment they could get.

It was a Sunday. Some were still sleeping. Others were finishing their second cup of coffee. Some were on duty when, at 7:53 AM, the first attack came and caught them all off-guard.

But God was not caught off-guard. Nor was He absent.

Everything within God’s care takes place in the fullness of time where He is actively working out His purposes. He may not bring about every disaster, but Christmas bells were ringing around the world reminding humanity that He is always present in the midst.