The First Sunday after Christmas (Year A), Dec. 26, 2004
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 147 or 147:13-21; Gal. 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18
Those fortunate enough to be members of healthy and stable families often have traits in common. Constantly experiencing unconditional love and acceptance themselves, they tend to respond in kind in their dealings with others. Bonded in lasting and supportive relationships, they tend not to be anxious or to worry much. Being honored and trusted by those closest to them, they tend to honor and trust those around them.
Human fallenness being what it is, however, many among us aren’t a part of a healthy and stable family, and that frequently takes a sad toll. Those involved in relationships where love is conditional usually put rigid conditions on their acceptance of others. Participants in unequal or abusive relationships often carry either power or subservience into all of their everyday dealings. And those who are neither honored nor trusted by those whom they love tend to be suspicious of others.
No matter what our personal background or circumstance, today’s readings underscore our membership in the healthiest and most stable family that can possibly be imagined — that of God. In the magnificent prologue to his gospel, John assures us that Christ welcomes believers into his Father’s family. “But to all who received him,” he writes, “who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.”
Paul similarly writes that Christ came “so that we might receive adoption as children” of God. “So you are no longer a slave but a child,” he concludes, “and if a child then also an heir, through God.” This is the family, comprised of all who claim the surname Christian, from which we rightfully receive our family values.
All of us who have been adopted by God in baptism are empowered to love one another without condition, as each is the recipient of our Father’s unmerited grace. As God supports us, his children, through the indwelling of his own Spirit, so we are enabled to give help and encouragement to all around us who are in need. And as the Father honors and trusts us enough to respect our own free will, so we are empowered to “respect the dignity of every human being” (BCP, p. 305) — even those with whom we most disagree.
Only some of us are fortunate enough to be nurtured by healthy human families. All are invited through Christ, however, to be nurtured by the family of God.
Look It Up
According to the author of 1 Peter, what are some of the obligations attendant upon membership in God's family? (1 Pet. 4:1ff)
Think About It
In what ways does our Church today function as the family of God? In what ways does it appear as something less?
Next Sunday
The Second Sunday after Christmas (Year A), Jan. 2, 2005
Jer. 31:7-14; Psalm 84 or 84:1-8; Eph. 1:3-6,15-19a; Matt. 2:13-15,19-23 or Luke 2:41-52 or Matt. 2:1-12
