Christmas Unity
* * * Be sure to watch the video at the end of this post. * * *
Every loving mama’s heart longs for family unity all year long, but perhaps most especially at Christmastime. Jesus came from heaven to earth to unite us with the Father and with one another.
When Isaiah prophesied the coming Messiah, he wrote:
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
When Gabriel spoke with Zacharias about the life purpose of his son John the Baptist, he told him that one of John’s purposes would be to unify families.
And he will turn many of the sons of Israel
back to the Lord their God.
It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him
in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children . . .
Luke 1:16-17
After Jesus was born, the angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. When many of the heavenly host appeared and began praising God, they spoke of peace:
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men
with whom He is pleased.
Luke 2:14
On the night before Jesus died, He told His disciples:
A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another,
even as I have loved you,
that you also love one another.
By this all men will know
that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35
After Jesus told His disciples to love one another, He asked His Father to make it happen. Prayer is a powerful way to bring unity in our families, too. Jesus prayed:
I do not ask on behalf of these alone,
but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
that they may all be one;
even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You,
that they also may be in Us,
so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:20-21
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This past Monday we concluded our family Christmas celebration with our annual Notgrass History Christmas party for our team members. It was wonderful to have the whole team together. What a privilege it is to serve with a unified group of people who all love Jesus. We made a video Christmas greeting to encourage homeschooling families. Every person on our team is either a homeschooling graduate or a homeschooling parent. Some are both. As you listen to our encouragement, you can know that all of these folks really do understand, and they care, too! Click on the Christmas envelope below to see the video.
