The Heart of Christmas: Family, Faith, and Forgiveness

Sometimes the most powerful truth about Christmas is hidden in the most unexpected places. 

This weekend, we took a journey through Home Alone that revealed something I'd never fully grasped before: God chose to bring the gift of Christmas through a FAMILY. Of all the ways He could have sent Jesus into the world—as a king, as an adult, in power and majesty—He chose an ordinary, messy, imperfect family.

After 400 years of silence, God broke through with a message that kept repeating: "Don't be afraid." To Zechariah. To Elizabeth. To Mary. To Joseph. Because what He was asking them to do required incredible FAITH when nothing made sense.

Here's what hit me hard: We can get so consumed with decorations, parties, shopping lists, and traditions that we miss what God intended to be at the heart of Christmas. Family matters. Faith matters. And forgiveness matters.

Kevin McAllister had to overcome his fears and defend his home with a plan. We have to do the same—not with paint cans and ice, but with intentional love, commitment, and showing up even when something inside us says "I don't want to."

Your assignment this Christmas season: What can you do to make a difference in your family relationships? What step of faith can you take to trust God's plan even when it doesn't make sense? And who has the Holy Spirit already brought to your mind that you need to forgive?

Because when we get these things right, God gets the glory and we get the peace. That's the real gift of Christmas.

Not for a minute were you forsaken. The Lord is in this place.