There is a strategy in Providence.

Nations, like individuals, have their crisis hours.
Through events God makes all society plastic, and then raises up some great man to stamp his image and superscription upon the nation's hot and glowing heart.

As scholars move back along the pathway of history, they discern in each great epoch these strategic conditions.

How opportune the moment when Jesus Christ appeared! Alexander's march had scattered every whither the seeds of learning; the Greek language had turned the whole world into one great whispering gallery, in which the nations were assembled; all the provinces around the Mediterranean were linked together by the newly completed system of roads; the Roman judge was in every town to set forth the rights of citizens of the empire; the Roman soldier was there to protect all who brought messages of peace; the long-expected hour had struck.

Then Christianity set forth from Bethlehem upon its errand of love.