Titus 3:4–7
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(ESV)
The gathering of family together is one of the greatest joys of the Christmas season. As someone
who is an “in-law,” I get the joy of celebrating with a family that I was at one time not a part of,
but one in which I now share joyously. It is a simple and sweet reality to consider: that I have a
family in which I can participate that I have been made a part of.
So it is in our Lord. Titus 3 reminds us that Jesus Christ, Himself the goodness and
lovingkindness of God, was made man, sent by the Father, brings us into a family that we were
once not a part of by the power of the Holy Spirit. Those who have been born again, who have
placed their faith in Christ alone, have received the gifts of adoption and union, both bearing us
into the family. We are brought into wonderful union with our Savior, and made children of God
as a result of this. Because we did nothing to deserve this, we can do nothing to disqualify
ourselves from it.
In this season, whether physical family is close or not, remember the joy of our true,
spiritual family. Our Elder Brother (Romans 8:29) has made us heirs of God, a family that is
near, unwavering, and eternal. One of the great ways in which we can think of the gathering of
the church tomorrow evening is a joyous family reunion, celebrating Jesus taking our likeness
that we may be conformed to His. We indeed gather with each other, but in an even greater way,
we meet our Father there. Our heavenly Father beckons to us in this season. Draw near to Him
knowing that because of Christmas, you who have placed your trust in Christ are eternally secure
in Him.
Evan Craciun