December 18
In Reality: A Happy Family by Pastor Nathan Schultz

“I thought it would be like . . . but in reality it turned out like . . .”  Life is full of unmet and failed expectations.  Things turned out differently than we hoped.  This advent we discover who Jesus is through the expectations of the Old Testament. 

Today we consider how Jesus might work in our relationships, and even in our families. What we want in this season is a family gathered together around a table in peace and harmony. But in reality, where we hope to experience love and safety can often bring about pain and disappointment. Do we tolerate one another and go our separate ways? Or would Jesus have something more for us?  In reality, we find Jesus is greater than we ever hoped.  

Genesis 33:1-11;  Matthew 1:1-17