Thanksgiving, the unofficial beginning of the holiday season, is nearly here. The holidays are an occasion for celebrating with family, but sometimes getting together with family is more stressful than merry. All families deal with tension. This was true even in biblical times. But as God’s children we are part of another family: the family of faith, together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. While this family is not without its problems, it can offer us the strength and support we need when problems arise in our earthly families. LinC looks at how the family of God can help us cope with family holiday stress. Key Scriptures: Genesis 27; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 15:11-32. As of this writing authorities in Russia are holding thirty activists and journalists captive in poor conditions in response to a peaceful protest against oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean. These demonstrators, who are affiliated with the environmental organization Greenpeace, knew that their actions would put them at risk and could result in imprisonment but nonetheless took a stand for their beliefs. For the average teen in the United States taking a stand doesn’t mean risking arrest, but it could mean risking popularity or social status. Next week we’ll look at reasons we, as Christians, should take a stand, and we’ll discuss what we risk by doing so.
