December is a family month. In church, we focus on one family during Advent and Christmas: the family of our Lord Jesus Christ. We ponder the familiar scene: Mary holding the infant Jesus, Joseph standing by her side. Shepherds gathered around and a heavenly host singing in the sky. For this is no ordinary baby. This baby is the Son of God, who has come to earth to save us from our sins.
However, in many ways, this extraordinary baby is also ordinary. He is truly a human infant, flesh and blood, dependent on His parents. He truly grew in Mary’s womb for nine months, and was truly, physically, born. He spent a whole childhood living with Mary and Joseph and honoring them.
In December, we also focus on our own families. For many, Christmas is a joyful season, as they gather with those dearest to them. For others, there is grief in this season for what is lacking: for strained or sundered relationships with family, for the lack of a spouse or family longed for by the single or bereaved, for family members who do not share in the true joy of Christ this Christmas season.
This month, The Lutheran Witness (LW) takes up its final community-themed issue of the year, “A Family Community.” Our December authors have written on topics related to family and the Christmas season: How is the church a “family,” and how can we make it operate like one? What does it mean to keep the Fourth Commandment and honor our parents like Jesus did, even when they make mistakes? How can we learn from the Holy Family in our life as families? What practices can families take up during Advent to prepare for Christmas? How can the church serve singles?
Pick up this issue to read about the true joy of this Christmas season: God in the flesh, who has become part of our family, and who, by faith, makes us children of Abraham and children of God. That’s a family we will always be part of, even if our families here on earth bring us more trial than joy.
To subscribe to the print LW, and to read select print content and additional web-exclusive articles, visit witness.lcms.org.
Posted Dec. 18, 2024
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