By David ReayThursday 24 Dec 2015LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read Galatians 4:4-7
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. (NLT)
Families are funny things. We often say that Christmas is a family time with the suggestion that this is something to celebrate. We say that we ought to support family values on the assumption that there is something inherently virtuous about families. But this fails to recognise that not all families are happy or good families.
Our earthly families can bring us great pleasure and no end of pain. Getting families together in harmony can be like herding cats. Family diplomacy puts international disarmament diplomacy in the shade.
While it is right and proper to see Christmas as a family time, remember those who have no families as well as those whose families are anything but a blessing. And above all, remember that according to this passage, Jesus was born in order to bring us into another family altogether. God came into the world in the person of Jesus to bring us back to himself and adopt us as his children.
Whatever your own family situation is this Christmas, remember that Jesus was not only born but grew up to make membership of God’s family possible. That way, Christmas can always be a true family celebration.
Blessings
David Reay