As the third millennium of the new era draws near, our thoughts turn spontaneously to the words of the Apostle Paul: When the fullness of time had come God sent forth his Son born of woman (Gal 4:4). The fullness of time coincides with the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of the Son who is of one being with the Father and with the mystery of the Redemption of the world. In this passage Saint Paul emphasizes that the Son of God was born of woman born under the Law and came into the world in order to redeem all who were under the Law so that they might receive adoption as sons and daughters.