Ever been to a family reunion? One where you actually know everyone? We have a family reunion on my mother’s side every August. It’s something the girls look forward to every year. Why? Because they get to play with all of their third cousins and we enjoy it because it’s fun hanging out with my aunts, uncles and cousins and their children. We spend an entire weekend together. All of the family can’t make it every year, but we enjoy the time we have with those who do.
Growing up all of our family would get together at my grandparents. Everyone from out of town would come and stay at my grandma's, my aunt's or our house. As far as I can remember, no one ever stayed in a hotel. We always made room for everyone, even if it meant all of the cousins sleeping in a row in the middle of the family room. I have so many fun memories of everyone playing cards, games, laughing, eating, etc. Family celebrations of any kind are usually a lot of fun. For some it can be a stressful time, especially if everyone doesn't get along or there is family drama from the past. I love getting together with my family, but to be honest, there are times when it can be a little hard. I get overwhelmed with people around 24/7. There is a lot to do and it can be difficult to spend time with everyone. If I am completely truthful, it is hard for me to keep my mouth shut when I disagree with a family member. I’ve come along way since the “I’m always right” attitude I had during my high school/college era. For the most part, I love getting together with my family and with my in-laws. Don’t know what I would do without them. So why would I share my not so great moments with you? Because family is important. There are only a few snapshots of Jesus with his family and his birth is the first. Joseph could have shamed Mary publicly when he found out she was pregnant, but he didn’t. He was going to divorce her quietly until he had a dream, in which an angel came to him and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” So Joseph took her home to be his wife. (Matthew 1:18-25) There are times when our family members do things we don’t like, maybe they voted for the other person, or maybe they cheer for the other team. God demonstrated his love for us in that he sent his only son to earth, to be born as a baby, into a family, to later be lifted up on the cross and resurrected on the third day that we may become children of God. When we give our lives to Christ, when we are born anew, we become children of God. We become part of a much bigger family. We become brothers and sisters in Christ. I encourage you during this season of advent as you think about the birth of Christ to remember that you are an heir with Christ, you are not alone because Christ is in you and you belong to the family of God. What can you do this season to encourage your family members? What can you do to lift them up? How can you make someone else’s day brighter this Christmas season? Luke 2:1-20 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
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AuthorThe Pastors of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church Archives
July 2017
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