Saturday, December 4, 2004
Matthew 1:20-21 An angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
PEACE IN OUR FAMILIES
The Christmas season can be a difficult time for those with family problems. Some try to avoid the pain by avoiding the observance of the holidays. But the solution is not to ignore the season but rather to turn to God's word for the true meaning of Christmas. For when we do, we find that even the coming of the Christ made for family problems that first Christmas - problems resolved by a word from God.
The world's view of Christmas often emphasizes family above all else. Good, but not enough. Families often have problems, trouble, strife ... matters that can't be solved by simply saying, "We are family," anymore than Joseph's turmoil and pain could be erased by simply saying he and Mary had pledged themselves to each other. No, Joseph's solution came from God's Word to him in particular
-- the word about Jesus.
So also for us in our families. Peace is to be found in the word about Christ -- in who He is, God's own Son, and in what He has done in winning for us pardon and peace with God. In Christ's forgiveness we have peace with God - and the means to make peace with each other.
Oh, the joy beyond expressing, When by faith we grasp this blessing.
When God made clear to Joseph the meaning of what He was doing in connection with Jesus, then Joseph was able to act in a way that gave him and Mary a future together. Let us take hold of the truth of what God has done in Christ our Savior and apply that forgiveness in our families that we may have a real future together. 