Do you have a favorite version of the Christmas story? After all, each gospel tells it differently. Luke focuses on Mary, the angels and the shepherds; while Matthew’s focuses on Joseph and the magi. The gospel of John takes us all the way back to the beginning to learn about the Word, who was with God and who was God. And Mark, of course, skips over the Christmas story and gets straight to the ministry of Jesus.

But you know, there’s at least one more version of the Christmas story that’s found in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. And it describes what Christmas is all about like this:

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. (Gal. 4:4-7)

 

So, as you celebrate Jesus in the days ahead, remember that the Son of God came so that you could be a child of God, too! And so that you could rush into the Father’s arms, crying out, “Abba! Father!”

May you and your family be filled with joy of that Good News as you celebrate God’s greatest gift this Christmas. Amen.