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Luke 2:4 NLT

'And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.'

Family is a warm-sounding word with dysfunction usually running through the very heart of it. Indeed, the best any of us can really hope for is a functional dysfunctional family. This is true of both blood and church families. And Christmas, despite the best of intentions, provokes dysfunction from start to finish. I have three rules with regard to my blood family: first, make no judgements; second, affirm each member in who they are; and third, when my distress rises towards uncontrollable levels, make a polite excuse and take a walk. A good reason for owning a dog!

Whatever parents and siblings make of me or me of them, they do represent my lineage. My life was created and nurtured by my parents, shaped by my siblings (and wider family) and in many ways I am a product of their input and my own chosen reactions to that input. I’d like to lay responsibility for everything that’s unpalatable across my family at the feet of other members. Yet, I must take my share of responsibility too.

Joseph had to journey with his pregnant fiancée to Bethlehem for a census. It was a family, or more accurately, a tribal affair. Yet, no doubt the journey gave them much time to reflect on family, especially given the nature of Mary’s conception. Maybe we should all remember God participates in our family gatherings. Joseph is distantly related to the royal line of David, bringing the earthly and heavenly kingdoms together.

As you gather with family members, if you have family to gather with, it’s worth considering your past. I recently was handed an article about my paternal grandfather who I never knew and had heard so many rumours about from Dad’s extensive range of siblings. Suddenly I discovered the very demanding role he played in society and that he worked well into old age. There was a sense of growing in confidence in my own ability, knowing that despite the swirl of rumours he was a solid guy.

QUESTION: Are there aspects to your celebration of Christmas that disappoint you?

PRAYER: Thank you, Father, that whatever the struggles with my earthly family, through Christ I have been adopted into your family.