THE FAMILY OF GOD
- Jason Bonnicksen
- Dec 24, 2025
- 3 min read
December 24, 2025
Jason Bonnicksen
THE FAMILY OF GOD
365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 24
Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Today’s one of those few special days in the year where the worldwide body of Christ comes together as the family of faith to celebrate our dear Savior’s birth.
Tonight’s Christmas story is told through by the gospel writer Matthew, one of Christ’s apostles and closest friends. Matthew wrote of those days when God declared that He was coming to this earth to live among us and save us of our sins. Matthew wrote:
”Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:18–25, ESV
For just a short period in time, the family of faith consisted of just three: Jesus, his mother Mary, and Jospeh, Mary’s husband to be. On that holy night, Jesus was Immanuel just for them: the Son of God who’d come to earth to be cradled in their arms. Oh what a privilege to have held God’s living presence in their arms: to love, to hold, and experience the purest soul to have ever lived.
In time, Jesus’ family grew as his brothers and sisters were born and raised along with him. And then, when the time was just right, Jesus’ family grew even more as He gave his life for the sins of the world. And now, on this night, Jesus’ family consists of billions of people around the world. He is Immanuel, God with us all. He is our Lord and Savior yes, and also our brother in the truest sense (Romans 8:29).
On this Christmas Eve, I think it’s only fitting that I thank God for sending His Son Jesus to live among us. He came to be with us, for us to cradle and hold close to our heart. Because of Him, I am saved, and I can’t think of a greater gift than to be thankful for, for all my days. And because of him, I have a family that’s so great there’s no way I could know everyone by name (nor even count). What a blessing it is to be counted among the God’s family of faith.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sending Jesus your Son. Through Him, we are eternally blessed. And Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to this earth; to live among us as one of us; and to save us of our sins. We worship you and praise you this night, for you are Immanuel, God with us.
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