If we’re being honest with ourselves… family dynamics can brutal sometimes! And the family drama that can otherwise be ignored throughout the year can really be exacerbated during the holiday season. 

It can be simple things like: who gets to host the Thanksgiving supper. Or who gets to hang the Christmas tree-topper. Or deciding what dessert Grandma will make. These and a myriad of other disagreements can cause the biggest family arguments. Isn’t it funny how messing with another person’s traditions and customs can trigger people – even if that person is family?!

On the flip side, for many people the holiday season is the only time of the year we get to see some of our family. Perhaps it’s because your aunt and uncle live states away and other than the holiday there’s really no reason to be in Iowa or South Dakota or Timbuktu. Or maybe your relationship with your grandparents is just really estranged and other than making your own parents happy by attending a holiday party you just don’t see those grandparents that often. These are unfortunate realities that speak to the truth that… family dynamics can be brutal! 

But… this Sunday we celebrate the third week of Advent in our series called the Comforts of Christmas. And in particular, this Sunday we’ll explore what happens when we say “Yes to Family.”

It’s easy to take people for granted. And it’s especially easy to take family for granted. The holiday season is that one time of the year that we grit our teeth and make seeing the people we often don’t see – whether consciously or subconsciously – a priority. And despite how chaotic and crazy the season might be, despite how many family arguments we might get into, despite all the disagreements and upset family feuds… we usually get through the season both exhausted and filled up!

So this week, we’ll look again at Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. What prompts Mary to say “Yes to Family” in spite of everything she had going on in her life? How is Elizabeth welcoming Mary into her home a manner of saying “Yes to Family?” 

And what does any of this have to do with us? With our faith? With our walk with God? 

In preparation for worship, I’d like to ask you to consider the question: How do you say “Yes to Family?” And furthermore, how has God shown up when you have?