Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.

Luke 2:1-3 BSB

Everyone went to his own town to register. 

Becuase the Romans said so. 

For us it can be "becuase Christmas."

We can make the "family" a bit of an idol. You must come to this family event, because Christmas. It's OK that we don't reach out and talk, connect, for most of the 365 days of the year, but you MUST be there, because Christmas (or someone's birthday, or whatever). If someone in your world is hesitant, puts up some resistance, how about listening to them, giving them grace, maybe wondering why that event is not a place that they're OK with. 

Lots of us find Christmas difficult for different reasons, rather than assuming it's a "wonderful time of the year" be prepared to hear why it may not be for some. 

We're not the Romans, requiring people to be somewhere they don't choose to be, becuase Christmas. We're people of Grace who care about one another. 

How can we be Grace this year?

#randomchristmasthoughts

#somethingtochewon