Family reunions

It's Christmas time again. With it comes countless parties and get-togethers. But nothing beats a family reunion. It's a beautiful time to reconnect with relatives who live far away. We get to meet uncles, aunts, nephews, and nieces we haven't seen in the past year.

Sometimes, family reunions can also be stressful when there are brewing issues that remain unresolved. There may be strained relationships among siblings and cousins. Yet, family reunions are also an opportune time to make amends, to forgive, and to let healing begin.

Like Jesus' lineage, no family is perfect. One of His relatives was a former prostitute and another was an adulterer. His great, great, great grandfather David, was a sinner, as we all are. But it did not stop God from blessing His descendants with the Messiah.

No matter how imperfect or sinful our family is, it will never stop God from blessing us, His children. Throughout generations, His saving work continues and will endure until the end of time. God is faithful. We belong to His family and we are loved.

Marjorie Ann Duterte