Who is your in your family?

I have a large family.  Two parents, a step-mom and a whole host of uncles, aunts and cousins.  Hollianne has given me an even larger family, with parents, brothers and sisters-in-law…along with seven nieces and nephews.  Maybe some of you are fortunate enough to still have one of your grandparents…or, better yet, perhaps some of you are lucky enough to HAVE grandchildren.

When I think of family, I often think of unity.  No…we don’t always agree on everything- but we do have have common roots.  Our lineage creates a special bond.  It brings us together.

This time of year is about a larger family- one that transcends genealogy or even ethnic orgin.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Romans 12: 4-5

Jesus Christ came to this earth to be born as a child- just like the rest of us.  He lived the perfect life and then died on the Cross to forgive our sins.  A perfect gift for an imperfect world.

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

Humans are scattered all over the earth.  We have different cultures, different backgrounds and different talents.  We are all united, however, in Jesus Christ.  The same Jesus that died for you…died for me.  And He died for the people all over God’s earth.  This brings us together.  We are family.

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Philipians 2:2

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10

We need to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior- and be grateful for the grace that unites us all.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:28

God bless you, my brothers and sisters.  Merry Christmas.