Don’t Shoot the Messenger

You can pick your friends, you can pick your neighbors and you can even pick your spouse, but the holidays are a vivid reminder that you can’t pick your relatives. If you are like me, you often wonder how so many different kinds of people could originate from the same gene pool. Somehow, drumsticks and pumpkin pie have a way of bringing even the most diverse people together.

At family gatherings, I am currently caught between generations. I spend some of my time translating to the older generation what the younger generation means, and the rest of my time explaining to the younger generation what the older generation intended.

For example, Grandpa asks the grandkids what they hope to get for Christmas. The grandkids indicate they hope to get a new Hi-def, X-box 360. Grandpa explains that yes he is going highly deaf and he can’t believe how much iceboxes have gone up in price.

Sitting at the end of the table, a great aunt asks her niece to please pass the stuffing. In response, the teenager replies that she is nearly full, but would enjoy a little more dressing. Her aunt agrees that midriffs show too much skin, and aren’t appropriate for young ladies, but she does like the new outfit her niece is wearing.

Across the room, Grandma gives subtle hints about how a new housecoat might work well on her Christmas gift list. Confused, the grandkids later discuss why it is that Grandma would need a coat to wear around the house, when a robe would be much more comfortable, especially when lounging on the sofa. And who is this old “Divan” she keeps talking about that is turning her into a couch potato?

Such are family discussions during the modern day Christmas season. The names of things have changed, but the things themselves continue to offer the same, yet upgraded, functions.

Thank goodness Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is known by many names, but His results are still the same. He still brings hope, happiness and peace. He is not the author of confusion, but He lights our path and directs our steps.

Salvation through Christ is the greatest gift anyone could receive at Christmas. Why not share a little more than pumpkin pie with your family this year? Maybe, just maybe, you will have the opportunity to explain the real meaning behind the Christmas story with those in your gene pool this holiday season. Reaching across the generation gap to talk about Jesus might just result in you spending eternity with that bunch of yahoos you call family.

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