Family 1

Luke 2:4-7

Christmas is more than just a pleasant holiday we celebrate each winter. It is a time of sharing together with family. It is a celebration of the holy family – Joseph, Mary, and Jesus – and as such is a celebration of all families.

We are familiar with the Christmas story – not just the story of angels and shepherds and wise men – but also the story of a family. Where did Joseph go? Why did he go there? Who was with him? What was their relationship? What happened in Bethlehem?

Jesus did not enter into this world through some mysterious way, suddenly appearing in the streets of Bethlehem or Jerusalem. He did not come to earth in a strange light or cloud of smoke. He came into the world as all people do, through human birth.

Both Joseph and Mary, descended from the line of David, were required by the ruler’s decree at that time to return to the town of their heritage, to Bethlehem. While they were there fulfilling their legal responsibility Mary gave birth to a child.

We see in this story the actions of a dedicated husband and father. Joseph is obeying the law of the land and returning to Bethlehem even though it was a hardship to him as he was in the company of his new wife already pregnant. We see a loving mother, Mary, wrapping her child in cloths – a tradition of that culture to ensure strong, straight legs – and giving him the most warm and comfortable bed she could find.

With the arrival of the baby Jesus we have a growing family. But there is an interesting word used that we often overlook. This was her “firstborn” child. It was not her only child. The implication is that other children would follow.

Jesus came into this world as part of a family; a family we will soon see will grow to include brothers and sisters. The gift of Christmas is Jesus, but it is also the gift of family and the love that exists between parent and child, brother and sister. Christmas is the celebration of God’s love that brings parents and children together in an all-encompassing love of one universal family.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to make the holiday about family love?

Time 2

Luke 2:4-7

Thinking back on all the many Christmas celebrations of my life I can’t recall more than one or two special gifts that I received over the years. While I know that the presents I received were all very nice, with time they have faded from my memory. What I remember most from all the years of celebrations are the times I was together with family and friends during the holiday.

That seems to be the greatest gifts I ever received – the time I spent with people I cared about and people who cared for me.

Christmas is the celebration of the tremendous gift of Jesus Christ. It is a time to honor and remember the fact that God gave of Himself, giving all of us the gift of His love.

This passage from Luke is at the core of the Christmas story. Where did Joseph take his wife? Why did he go? What happened there?

The story of Joseph and Mary may show us the first gift of Christmas. The gift Joseph gave was the journey he and Mary had to make to fulfill Scripture. He needed to go to Bethlehem for tax reasons – he was of the house and line of David and so had to go to David’s city. But he was also living out the prophecy of the expected Messiah. Bethlehem was to be the place where the Savior would be born.

And we can allow our imagination to work with the story we are given. This newlywed couple have left their home n Nazareth and gone to a different place. And in this different place their baby boy is born.

What did they do there? They likely spent a few months together as a small family, drawing close together in a gathering of love – two parents and a child sharing the first few weeks of a life together.

Since Joseph had his heritage in Bethlehem it is also possible that this small family was surrounded by a larger family. They may have been staying with relatives – aunts and uncles and cousins. The larger family would have gathered to celebrate with the young couple and surround them with love.

Now, just as it was then, Christmas is a time of family. It is a time to gather together and share a very precious gift – not a present that can be purchased at a store or wrapped in shiny paper. The gift we can all share is our time together, sharing love for each other and reflecting the love that God has for each of us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Who will you spend time with this holiday?