What do you want for Christmas?
Every year my children asked me that question, I would answer exactly the same: “I just want my kids to get along.”
A peaceful home. Free from nitpicky strife and intentional annoying. No dumb fights over small things. Work and play cooperatively when there is a disagreement.
Please, just be kind and loving to each other.
Can you relate? It seems like such a small matter. A simple request.
But like everything else I’ve learned about parenting…this too points me to our Father in Heaven.
I hear Him urging throughout the scriptures:
- “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
- “…being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).
- “”I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
- “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:17).
No dumb fights over small things. Please, just be kind and loving to each other.
So, that’s my prayer for you this Christmas season. In your neighborhoods, in your online spaces, in your workplaces. But especially, especially, within your church family and your family-family. Peace on earth. Goodwill toward men.
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8).
Have a peaceful weekend!
