Journeys Through Life as a Child of God

On Tuesday, December 26, I visited the local credit union. While there I wished Merry Christmas to the teller, and to the manager who was also behind the counter. The branch manager, a pleasant lady to whom I’ve spoken before, wished me Merry Christmas too, and asked if I had a good Christmas. I told her I had spent Christmas in worship, and with lots of family. She replied that she had also spent the Christmas holiday with family. I then noted, “At the first Christmas there was a family: a father, a mother, and a baby.” She replied, “AMEN!”

Kathy and I celebrated the Christmas holy-day in many worship services, and with a “feast of family.” After worship on Christmas Day we spent time at home of my brother, Stephen, and his wife, Lori. I am the oldest of 5, and all siblings were present, along with 4 spouses, cousins, nieces and nephews. In the group picture I count 20 people, and we have at least another 15 Florida members of our family who could have been present. My brother. David, posted, “So blessed to be part of this wonderful family. Can’t imagine what I’d do without you!! Love you all!!!”

Then, the day after Christmas, Kathy and I visited more family. We went to the home of my sister’s daughter, and husband, and her children. We created some excitement by bringing gifts and reading books. I am glad that, as a man of 70, it is the younger folk who are raising the children with endless energy. One of the books we brought for the children was the story of Christmas. The kids started to sing, “Jesus loves me” to us.

Of course, all that Florida family does not even start to count the Alaska Rockeys. There are 14 of us on a good day. Kathy and I truly enjoyed time with our Florida relatives, but we dearly miss our children and grandchildren who are braving a real Alaskan winter. We will be there to celebrate Jesus’ birth with them the first two weeks of January. We are looking forward to that.

However, there is still more family. I have family in New England. Kathy has family in Tennessee and West Virginia. Our Christmas celebration included much worship. But, we also FEASTED on family love.

I hesitated to share our family joy, because I know that many families are facing trouble, or strife. And, there are many who have no family. At a time when everyone else gets together with loved ones, Christmas can make lonely people feel even more lonely.

However, God extends His arms of love to create even more family. Think of the “family words” Jesus uses. When our Lord taught the Lord’s prayer, He instructed His followers to address God as, “Our FATHER.” (Matthew 6:9) Our Lord is our Father – That’s FAMILY! But, we don’t pray “MY” Father. We pray, “OUR Father.” All humans have the same Creator and heavenly Father, whether we know it or not. That makes us all brothers and sisters through God’s “creation love!” (See also Mark 3:31-35)

And contrary to earthly fathers who can fail at times in loving their children, God always loves His children. “13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:13)

Scripture is full of references to the family relationships we have with other children of God. Consider Galatians 6:10. “10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” In reality, our real home is not on this world, but in heaven. Think of the implications of what Hebrews 11:9-10 says about Abraham. “9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.”

Christmas is wonderfully celebrated with those we love, and those who love us. But The One who loves us best is God. According to the Christmas angel, our Heavenly Father sent His only-begotten Son FOR US! (Luke 2:10) Our Savior Died for us. The Spirit makes His temple in our earthly bodies. When we are with God, when God is with us, we are home!

On Christmas Eve morning, we celebrated Christmas in another wonderful way at our home away from home in Florida. Almost 4 year old Eleanor Kate Denson was baptized. On this day before Christmas, God called “Ella”, He came to her. He forgave her, and made her part of His eternal family. Ella now has a whole congregation, in fact the whole Christian Church, as her brothers and sisters. What a “family celebration!”

Is there anything better than celebrating the love of God, in His presence, with all of our family?!

A Child of God, Celebrating God’s Love with All Our Family!

Pastor Jonathan