Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Luke 2:13-15
A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Psalm 133
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must ] love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35
WHAT DOES unity in Christ look like during ADVENT SEASON?
The Christmas season is a time marked by traditions and lore unique to every family. Anything from a particular way of opening gifts, to specific holiday foods, each tradition seems specific and significant. You will hear statements beginning with, “It’s not Christmas without…” followed by something that has been done for years. While each of them are distinct and special, there is one common thread that is shared with each tradition… the gathering of people. Outside of Scrooge, I don’t know of anyone’s Christmas tradition that is done alone.
For me, my favorite Christmas tradition is attending church on Christmas Eve. As a kid I wasn’t particularly fond of church and frankly rather bored and unentertained by “big church”, but for some reason Christmas Eve was different. While I certainly loved the carols and candlelight, the most special thing about that service was how we went together as a family, including my grandparents. I specifically remember us laughing at and teasing my grandfather one year for wearing two mismatched shoes. We didn’t realize it at the time, but this was the beginning stages of a battle with Alzheimers that stole the last several years of his life. Despite the sad end to that story, I still have a fond memory of this moment because it was us, being with one another, to celebrate the birth of our savior.
Scripture has a lot to say about how we interact with “one another”. In fact, the statement “one another” occurs at least 100 times in the New Testament alone. We are commanded to “live in harmony with one another”... to “bear with one another”... to submit, encourage, forgive, teach, serve and love one another. Jesus even goes as far as to say that how we love one another is how the world will know we are his disciples. As a child, I didn’t realize, this is what unity in Christ looks like and about the most God honoring thing we can do as Christians.
As the final week of advent is upon us, undoubtedly you will gather with the “one anothers” of your life… your friends, family and loved ones. If you’re like me, that will include a Christmas Eve Service where you will read of the savior of the world wrapped in swaddling clothes and sing carols proclaiming “Joy to the world”. Rather than gathering over presents, egg nog or traditions, I want to encourage you to gather in the name of Christ.
Consider…
What family traditions are special to you? How can those things honor Jesus this week?
Is there a place of disunity in your life? How can the Lord help bring reconciliation to that relationship?
