Preparing for Family at Christmas

In the least, the COVID virus has caused most of us some everyday challenges, irritations, and general anxiety. However, it is amazing to what we can grow accustomed. While I still walk halfway between my car and the grocery store before I realize I have no mask on, I expect the reality of masks in public places. I have yet to receive my tax return from 2020. Our new couch which we bought in August is now due to arrive in April. Yes, these things are frustrating, but they are becoming much more normal every day.

There are things for which we can also become accustomed in our families, work, and church family. Some of this is fine, reasonable, and needed. However, there are other things that we accept and even support that Jesus did not and would not. This is because of His consistent and clear understanding in regards to true love. When it came to certain values and priorities, Jesus kept the will of His Father and His calling as His foundation, even with those He loved the most.

Mark 3:
Then he went home; 20 and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. 21 When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.”
31 Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” 33 And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

While Jesus loved his family, He did not allow them to dictate His behavior. We have lost our way a bit as the church when it comes to the Christmas Season. A wonderful benefit of the Feast of the Nativity is that we have some blessed time to spend with family. However, Western culture has turned Christmas into “it’s all about family”. As the disciples of Jesus, it is the worship of Him that comes first, and this in turn is a blessing to us and our families. Feasting is God’s idea, and when we enjoy His blessings, this brings Him Joy as well. That said, it is easy to lose our focus and priorities as we interact and engage those that we love the most.

As we know quite well, being around family during the holidays also poses some great challenges and tensions. What temptations might that be for you? Can we draw boundaries with others without trying to punish them for past harms? Can we lovingly engage those we love without enabling their influence on our emotions or actions? Do we bring forgiveness and peace to our gatherings, or do we add to the chaos and tensions by our own self-service? Can we still feast and worship the Lord without being lost in the overwhelming business of this season?

The answer is most certainly, “Yes”, but we must prepare our hearts and open ourselves to the Christ-child’s gentle and powerful touch. May Advent prepare us for our Holidays and for faithfulness to our God throughout the entirety of the New Year.


Father Tom