The Gift of Family

When I think about the story of Christmas, I’m reminded that before the angels sang or the shepherds came running, God was doing something deeply personal: He was forming a family. Jesus didn’t arrive on earth as a fully grown man or as a powerful ruler. He came as a baby, cradled in the arms of His mother, protected by His earthly father, and surrounded by love. That’s no small detail; it’s a glimpse into the very heart of God.

Matthew 1:21 reminds us of Jesus’ mission: “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Salvation was the greatest gift humanity could ever receive, yet God chose to deliver it through something so intimate and familiar: family. The Creator of the universe sent His Son into a human household. He entered our story not from a throne, but from a manger, showing that His plan for redemption begins where we all begin, within the love and care of family.

James 1:17 tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above.” Family, whether it’s the one we’re born into, the one we marry into, or the one we find in the body of Christ, is one of those good gifts. Through family, we experience belonging, growth, and grace. We learn what love looks like in everyday moments, and we get to practice the same forgiveness and compassion that God extends to us.

This year, as I prepare for the arrival of my first child, the idea of family feels more precious and awe-inspiring than ever. There’s a quiet wonder in realizing that the same God who knit Jesus together in Mary’s womb is also knitting a new little life in mine. I can’t help but think of Mary and Joseph, two ordinary people chosen for something extraordinary. They were entrusted with raising the Son of God, caring for Him, teaching Him, and creating a home where He could grow in wisdom and strength. Their obedience reminds me that family isn’t just about shared DNA; it’s about shared purpose.

Through the Christmas story, we see God’s heart for family on full display. We see it in Joseph’s faithfulness when he chose to stay and protect Mary even when it didn’t make sense. We see it in Mary’s humility and courage to say yes to God’s plan. And we see it in Jesus Himself, the One who entered into the messiness of human life so we could become part of His family forever.

That’s the beautiful paradox of Christmas: the Son of God became part of a human family so that humanity could become part of God’s family. In Christ, we are no longer strangers or outsiders—we are sons and daughters, adopted through grace. That’s the gift we unwrap at Christmas: belonging.

But in our world today, the gift of family often feels fragile. Many are walking through brokenness, loneliness, or loss. Some are praying for reconciliation; others are longing for a connection that seems out of reach. And yet, even in those places, God’s gift remains. His design for family was never just about picture-perfect moments; it was about revealing His steadfast love through people who choose to love one another despite imperfections.

In our church family, we get to reflect that same gift. We celebrate, support, and serve one another. We show up in joy and in sorrow, reminding each other that we are never alone. Whether you’re surrounded by relatives this season or you find your closest bonds in the family of believers, Christmas invites us to remember that God places us in families, spiritual and earthly, so that His love can be made known.

This Christmas, as I anticipate holding my child for the first time, I’m reminded of how God must have felt when He sent His Son into the world, a mixture of deep love, hope, and purpose. Family was the vessel for His greatest gift. And through Jesus, that gift keeps expanding, reaching every heart willing to receive it.

This devotional was written by Caroline Treadway, the Preteen Minister at First Baptist Dallas.

Two Questions for Thought:

1. How does Matthew 1:21 help you see family as a gift God gives through His Son?
2. Who in your family or church family can you intentionally show love to today?

Daily Challenge:

Take a moment today to unwrap God’s gift of family. Pray together, share a meal, or express gratitude for one another, living out God’s love through the gift He has given.