Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read John 1:29-42.
John 1:29-42: He first found
his own brother Simon .... (John 1:41a)

Reflection:

Some brothers and sisters get along really
well. They get along so well they can work
side by side at the same job, then gather
together for Christmas and the other holidays.
That appeared to be the case for Andrew
and his brother Simon Peter in the Bible.
They made a living by fishing together. And
when the Savior invited Andrew to follow Him,
the first thing he did was to find Simon and
bring him along. They had fished together
all their lives; now they would follow the Son
of God together.

I hope your family is that close. But that
doesn't always happen. Often get-togethers
are more like civil wars. We all know getting
together should heighten our enjoyment of
Christmas, but sometimes the only way to
have a peaceful Christmas is to stay apart.

Transforming a broken-family Christmas is
difficult, but not impossible. You just need a
peacemaker. The trouble is most brothers
and sisters end up on one side or the other.
We need someone from the outside to come
in and bring peace.

That's where God's Son stepped in. He
became human and came into our world to
be our peacemaker. First, He tackled our
most important broken relationship-the one
between God and us. He did that by taking
our place and going to the cross to suffer God's
wrath for all the wrongs we think, say and do.
Having won our pardon from God His Father,
He transforms us. He gives us a new heart
that feels true love and forgiveness toward our
enemies, even if those happen to be our own
brothers and sisters.

PRAYER:

Great Savior, if my family gathers
together this Christmas please bless our time
together. If there is any festering hurt or offense
dividing us, bring us together peacefully through
Your sacrifice on the cross. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)