The Importance of Family at Christmas Matthew 1:16-25 and other texts

Christmas is generally considered a significant family holiday We look forward to getting together We have cherished family traditions and activities We cherish the memories made Have you thought about how important the family really is?

1. God patterned family after His own relationship The defining question: Which came first? God’s relationship with His Son or the human relationship we know? He came up with the design and pattern He designed man and woman to function as family He gave an example of how it should function

2. God designated family as the foundation for society He made a safe environment for children to develop He designed the family to function for humans, even animals, according to their need & His intention He provided laws for families to fare well He expects families to continue in this form and fashion

3. God utilizes family to accomplish His will God orchestrated all of history to function through family God designed man & family so His Son could become a man and dwell as man in a family God has determined to use families even though all families are somewhat dysfunctional The church is also to function as a healthy family