Life can be messy, like that big ball of Christmas lights all tangled together. But the Good News is that Jesus enters the mess of our life to bring us peace and joy.
November 28, 2021 (Hanging of the Greens/Deck the Halls)
Messy Families
The holidays often bring up challenging family dynamics. The smiling faces on the Christmas Cards can often hide the grudges, disappointments, and family feuds going on in the background. Jesus himself was born into a blended family under “less than normal” circumstances. People undoubtedly judged Mary and Joseph. Jesus understands that families can be messy, and that families are defined by more than who were related to.
Matthew 11:18-25
New Revised Standard Version
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”[a]
Woes to Unrepentant Cities
20 Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.
For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”
Jesus Thanks His Father
25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank[b] you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants;