Preparing for the Coming of the Holy Family by Seeking to Build Faith and Love in My Family

Dear Fellow Children of God,

I love the season of Advent. Advent is not Christmas. Rather, Advent is a quiet 4 week period of preparation for the coming of the Lord through personal reflection and prayer leading to repentance. In truth, repentance is part of the daily life of every believer. We believe that Jesus died and rose to save us from our sin, from ourselves. In response, as we believe in Jesus, a Christian disciple turns daily from their sin and turns daily in faith toward God’s forgiving grace in Jesus.

It is important to understand that distinction. Repentance is not just turning from our sin and our weaknesses. True faith and repentance is also turning toward God in faith. True repentance shows itself in humble lives that admit our failings, and in humble lives which trust in Jesus.

With that in mind, I want you to consider with me the words of the angel who spoke to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, as Zechariah was serving in the temple. Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless, so the promise of the angel of God struck deep at Zechariah’s heart. “13 But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’” (Luke 1:13-17) This prophecy is great and wonderful news for Zechariah and Elizabeth. This childless couple would have a son. This prophecy is great news for Christians, John the Baptist, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, would prepare the way for the promised Messiah and Savior who would finally come.

But, do you see the surprising phrase in verse 17 of this prophecy about the preparation work of John the Baptist? “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Part of this repentance, part of this preparing people for Jesus’ coming, part of this turning from sin toward God, is the turning of “the hearts of fathers to their children.”

When you think of family troubles, and think of who needs to turn to the other, do you think of parents and fathers turning to their children, or do you think of children turning in love and faith and honor toward their parents? I know that today I often see children who turn from their parents’ faith and values. It seems to me that it is often the children who need to turn to parents. But, I also see wisdom in these words from God’s messenger. Perhaps before children will turn to parents, parents who are so distracted by the busy-ness and worries of this life need first to turn to their children in faith, in love and tenderness. What do you think? Does this phrase, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children” surprise you? Do you see God’s wisdom in this prophecy?

Families are part of God’s plan for healthy lives for His people. It is God’s plan that, “ . . . a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) Healthy families are God’s plan according to Ephesians 6:1-4, 1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” — which may enjoy long life on the earth.’ 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Did you hear in the words of Ephesians that both children AND fathers, or parents, have responsibilities in a Christian family? And, children are healthier when raised in stable homes of faith and love. One of the ways that John prepared the way for the Lord was to call fathers toward their children. One of the ways that we can today prepare for the coming of Jesus into our lives is by building faith and love in our own families.

This might seem a surprising thought, but remember, when Jesus came into this world He was born into a family. Mary was Jesus’ mother. Joseph was His earthly father. This family protected and nurtured our Savior in His vulnerable early years. Jesus was raised in a family of love and faith. And, building and strengthening our families is one way for us to repent of our sin and to turn toward God.

Kathy and I have returned to Alaska to celebrate Christmas with our children and grandchildren. I confess that it is always difficult to leave. It is difficult to leave Alaska for Florida, because our Alaska family would love for us to stay. If is difficult to leave Florida for Alaska, because my Florida family, my 3 brothers and sister and their families, would like us to stay. It is a blessing that we have families of faith and love in two locations. But, there are ways that Kathy and I could turn toward our children, toward our loved ones.

Family is a gift of God and it is always worth the effort to grow faith and love in our homes. Such attention to growing faith and love in our families is, perhaps surprisingly, an act of repentance, of turning from ourselves towards God. How are you building family ties this Advent, as you await the Christmas celebration of the holy family?

A Child of God, Preparing for the Coming of the Holy Family by Seeking to Build Faith and Love in My Family,

Pastor Jonathan