As a daughter, sister, wife, and mom with a bent toward procrastination, I think of what my family has put up with over the years. Though I didn’t intend it, my bent made me a “carrier” of misery. Through my habit I inflicted pain and aggravation on my family. We often call Christmas a “family time.” Gulp.
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5.
Families are messy. (So Christmas can be messy!) But God in His wisdom, love, and sovereignty designed that we enter this world in families, be nurtured in families, grow there, and make new families. Though our earthly ones are not perfect, families are of Him.
We frequently see evidence of the world’s longing for family. “We’re a family” is a statement used to say we are in this together, we support each other, we love each other.
God put the longing for family in us. How amazing that our Father Himself longed for us to be reconciled to Him – and so He sent Jesus! He wanted us so badly He repurchased His own at great cost to Christ. Separation from such a Father is painful.
When He sent His Son Jesus, it was a rescue mission for us His children. Jesus came for His brothers and sisters. No action movie or dramatic story can ever top the rescue mission Jesus accomplished in saving our souls and reuniting us with our Father. Think of that when looking at a manger scene!
God deliberately chose His terms and setting. He gathers His own as His sons and daughters. He wrote His love letter Word to record our family history and give us instruction for living as His children.
He even sent Jesus into an earthly family when He sent Him to rescue us.
Yes, earthly families are messy, but our Heavenly Father’s family is messy too. We’re in it. I’m in it. (Procrastination is not my only ornery bent!) Each of us is irritated and irritating, hurt and hurtful. But we are also by His grace, loving and loved, respectful and respected.
“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‚ÄòAbba, Father!'” Galatians 4:6.
We are family!
As a member of your earthly and heavenly family, how will you celebrate?
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