Jesus' Family Album December 24 Devotional

JOHN 1:10-13 | ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. ¹² But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

I love family albums. The holiday gatherings and special events, the casual everyday moments and the formal occasions of graduation or marriage or life celebration. Looking back in time it’s fun to see the little versions of now grown children, the black or blond hair of now gray elders. It is hard, of course, to see the precious faces of those we love who’ve died, who sit no longer at our festive tables, to laugh and reminisce. Family albums remind us of the power and importance and tragedy of the past tense.

Jesus’ family album is different. To all who receive him, who trust in his name as Savior and Lord, he gives the power to become children of God. He instills in them his Spirit, divine and eternal. His album goes on into eternity and none of the characters pass off the page and disappear. Each one is made perfect in body and soul and each relationship is whole and deep and beautiful.

Are you in Jesus’ album?

Gracious God,

Thank you for coming from heaven to earth to overcome our darkness and free us from death, opening a way to join your forever family.

Amen.