The Holy Family, Our Holy Families
So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. . . . After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:15-21)
Jesus was raised in a family because it is the only way any of us can grow to be fully human, much less, perfectly human. Even as “Son of God, Son of Man," Jesus did not come into the world with the full knowledge and wisdom of a full grown adult, much less with the full knowledge of God. He had to develop physically, morally, emotionally and spiritually at each stage of his life. So when we hear the words from the beloved second verse of Away in a Manger: “The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.” We should probably assume that we are looking at art and not child rearing.
Jesus’ growth to maturity took place in the context of a human family. The author, Ann Rice, after her re-conversion to Roman Catholicism wrote a very interesting and thoughtful novel, The Christ, Out of Egypt. The book is a modern day midrash, an imaginative expansion, of the Biblical story of Mary, Joseph, Jesus and their extended family moving from Egypt back to Nazareth after the death of King Herod. Along the way Jesus hears stories from his mother and father, aunts and uncles about his birth and the stories tied to that birth about shepherds and wise men and blessings in the Temple. In this book, Ms. Rice helps us to think about Jesus’ budding understanding of God’s purpose for him in this life and of what this means for him and for the people in his life.
Jesus and his family suggest a pattern for us and our children and grandchildren. The Christian family can also be the context in which we grow to physical, mental , emotional and spiritual maturity. This is true in our personal families as well as in that entity which we at times refer to as “our church family.” Though at times comparing a church or a congregation to a family can open us up to some of the same pathologies that other families have, it can, in fact, give us a useful way to see ourselves in relation to God and to other people. St. Paul in his letter to the church at Galatia says that “Christians are adopted as full sons and daughters of God.” (Galatians 4:4-7). This would make us all God’s children and brothers and sisters with one another and with Jesus, suggesting that God has no grandchildren, but only children. This is actually a very healthy way to look at what it means to be in right relationship with God and with each other. We are all brothers and sisters and therefore all members of the same family. I believe that this applies not only to those of us who consider ourselves to be Christians, but to all who see themselves as children of God and related to the rest of God’s children on this planet of over seven billion souls.
Paul goes on to state that “we are heirs and family members in the Kingdom of God.” As members of the Kingdom there are opportunities open to all of us. We invite others to hear the good news of God’s love to us; we share with them about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and our part in that mystery. We hope and pray for the restoration of peace and justice in the world and between people and nations who are estranged. We have the opportunity to assist those in need of food, clothing and shelter, whether they are or ever become members of our or any other Christian community in the world. We do this without regard to race, creed, color, national origin or legal status in this or any other nation. The fact is, Jesus’ Mission was NOT to make Christians of all people, BUT to feed, cloth, shelter, liberate all people, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
So, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and people. This new year, this time of new beginnings may well provide a wonderful opportunity for your family, your congregation, to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and all people.
As we begin this journey together, "May the Lord bless us and keep us, may the lord make his face to shine upon on us and be gracious to us, may God lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace.” (Numbers 6:22-27)
