December 12, 2022
Love it or hate it, Christmas is a time for family. There are workplace Christmas parties where we will hear “this place is a family.” We are expected to attend, lets be honest, sub-par elementary Christmas performances for our nieces and nephews at their school. We will gather at grandma’s house and open presents on Christmas Eve and then show up at our in-laws house Christmas morning in matching PJ’s. Tis the season of gathering with all our different “families.”
As a Pastor who grew up in a ministry family, I’ve been a part of and witnessed more Christmas productions, candlelight services, lightly attended early Christmas morning services, live nativity scenes, and Christmas carol singalongs than I could possible count. Per my estimate I’ve celebrated Christmas more times at this point at the age of 28 than most people could in 2 lifetimes. What I love though, is how Christmas services have the ability gather the family of God together to celebrate the birth of the one who makes us a family.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Romans 8:14-17 NKJV
Through Jesus we are adopted into the family of God! This comes with great benefit to the individual believer. We receive the favor of God and access to all his rich blessings, we receive the unconditional covenantal love of the Father, and we get a brand new family, despite our old family, that strengthens us and loves us. But being a part of the family of God isn’t just blessings and benefits, although there are many. It means that we are now a part of the family business.
Verse 17 says “if indeed we suffer with Him [meaning Christ], that we may also be glorified together” (NKJV). The family business we now all share and own stock in, is that of service to others. We are experts in love and forgiveness, and we specialize in grace and sacrificial love. Our motto is “unto the Lord until He comes.”
So as we gather among all our different “families”, as our social encounter tank runs to empty going to the 15th party, and our patience get’s tested with extended family and end of the year business, remember the opportunity before you. Every encounter is an opportunity to display the love and hope of Jesus. Every moment is one to display Joy in our countenance and peace through our words. Let us not just celebrate the light of Christ this Christmas, but amplify it and exhibit it in our lives.
3 Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the Lord.
I Samuel 7
Psalm 84: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! (ESV)
