What if I accidentally say something that antagonizes dad again?
Mom will reprimand my kids.
I never do anything to please my in-laws.
My gifts won’t measure up to theirs.
Aunt Sally doesn’t approve of my tattoos.
Grandma Bootsy dislikes my husband.
Uncle Bob talks politics non-stop.
Cousin Kay expects me to bow down to her.
If Grandpa teases me about me green hair again, I’ll scream.
And the throb of misery continues as we anticipate family hostilities
on the Holiest of Days.
When the angels appeared to the shepherds, they spoke these words: “Glory
to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to all men.”
Jesus came to Earth, giftwrapped
in cloth. You see, His Father sent this bundle of salvation and laid it in a
manger. And God’s gift came circled with a blood red ribbon. Each day, the beautiful
package begs for someone to open the box and claim this costly gift.
Thus, through this offering from heaven, we can have peace with God. Just not always with our families and each
other.
Wouldn’t be remarkable if this
Christmas we build a bridge with our family members as God did to us?
Glory to God in the Highest, and may we have peace on earth this
season at our household gatherings.
Beautiful reminder! Well said.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts, expressed so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacqueline, and Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteYes Gay, I can feel the pain. We all have a bit of those situations, but thank goodness in chaos of the holidays-we have Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAnd is't it amazing that most of these situations intensify at Christmas? They keep our minds from the joy of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGay,
ReplyDeleteSo true. I myself have anxiety about getting together with both sets of family.
I just need to remember it's not about me, it's about Jesus.
Thank you for reminding us of the real joy and reason for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteLife is too short to worry about incidentals. Each of us can take joy in what pleases us.
ReplyDeleteWell said. It's easy to forget the true meaning for the season with the bombardment of commercialism and modern-day expectations. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo true Bonnie and Kim.
ReplyDelete