Family relations, so sweet and so intricate at the same time. Some siblings start talking about the weather, and the conversation turns into a hurricane.
A sweet friend told me once: “Family times are heavenly moments, with slight tensions and worldly inconveniences, but oh so precious!”
As we listen to the hit song of the forties “I’ll be home for Christmas” it reminds us of the importance of family.
Mary sees value in her family too, and that’s without even listening to Bing Crosby’s carol.
After hearing the shocking and exciting news from the angel, she turns to family. She hurries up to visit her relative Elizabeth. She’s excited to go share the unbelievable news. She’s eager to find out how God will be using Zack and Lizzie with the baby they’re expecting. She’s in need to be encouraged amidst some very overwhelming circumstances. She spends three good months with family.
In reading Luke 1:35-46 we can notice that she came from a very strong righteous family, who feared God and followed His precepts. The Bible doesn’t tell us anything else about other family members, except her husband Joseph.
Family is important. But, let’s not get discouraged if our biological family is not by our side this Christmas. God offers us a spiritual family too.
No matter what kind of family we’re around this Christmas. let’s see this time with them as growing opportunities.
What a great opportunity to get reconnected without sparks of tension. Grace should be our instinct, not anger and frustration.
What an answer to our prayers “Lord, make me patient!”. God offers us an opportunity to be stretched. Family is always there to help us grow in our patience, right? Sometimes a little too much. 🙂
What a better moment to clean cobwebs of the past, to deal with unresolved conflict and disappointments, to bring forgiveness, and focus on healing for a better season with Christ, and a more genuine relationship with our family.
What a perfect occasion to live out and to speak about the reason we’re celebrating Christ’s birth to our non-believing family members.
What a great chance to recharge batteries. Let’s find beauty in those small little moments we spend with our family: an unplanned sipping coffee with a dad, a Skype video unwrapping gifts with someone afar, a good laugh, a sincere discussion, a silly picture, or an unsuccessful baking experience.
What a more beautiful opportunity to adopt a family at Christmas. They don’t have to move in with yours. But, you could invite someone over for a meal, or wrap one more gift for someone lonely.
Christmas is not a season for more unaccounted carbs, more extravagant gifts, more mileage on our traveling account. It’s a time to starve for a deeper relationship with our Messiah, which will lead us to be more outward focused on those around us, including our family. Ministry starts at home.
A word of encouragement to my many friends that live far away from their biological families. Don’t seclude yourself in loneliness. Allow yourself to be part of an adoptive family (if possible), don’t wallow in pity. If you miss your annoying cousins, and your judgmental aunt. No worries, there’s plenty of annoying adoptive relatives you’ll find in your church. You are not alone.
As I saw it written somewhere “Find your tribe, and love on them”. If you are closely involved in your church, it’s impossible not to have at least one deep friendship. If you don’t, there are two possible reasons; either you need to look for a church where you can fit in better, or you need to make it your goal this coming year to find your tribe, and to love on them.
No matter what kind of Christmas is awaiting you, happy commotion with family and friends, or a very silent time. Choose to have a more reflective heart. It’s a great time to rekindle our love for Christ.
Live this Christmas differently. Live it purposefully.
Meditate: Luke 1:35-45
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!”