It's the Christmas season! This time is always a time of reflection for me, usually of the past year, but this time it's a reflection of the past decade. So many things have changed since I was a seven year old fobby kid with my winnie-the-pooh backpack. But I'll leave this reflection for the next post, hopefully one that is closer to the new year. Anyways, I've been so entangled with the festivities of the Christmas season, I've forgotten its true meaning. Instead of reflecting on the birth of Christ, I've been obsessed with finding the perfect present for my mom, in other words, caught up with the superficial values of the season. Christmas isn't just another day for us to find a reason to receive presents. And perhaps you're not religious, then Christmas should be a time of thanksgiving and reflecting. Perhaps your way of thanksgiving is through giving presents, and that's okay. Just don't obsess over finding this present and don't be disappointed if you don't receive the present you wanted. Ahhh this is sounding too preachy, not my plan.

Luke 15:11-32
I've been thinking a lot about this parable. For the longest time, I disliked it because it seemed so unfair. For those who knows the parable, it's the parable of the prodigal son. If you don't know about it, read it because my summary wouldn't do it justice. Anyways, so I've been reflecting on this passage, because I believe every part of the Bible is included for a purpose. I understand the father's actions fairly well. He loves his sons, even the lost son who squandered his savings and returned for food and shelter. I also understand the lost son's actions. He returned and repented because he understood that there was no other way for survival. He humbled himself and returned into the family. However, I couldn't understand the action toward the older son, the son who remained at his father's side, devoted and responsible. This son never received the best robes, rings, sandals, or even a fatted calf from his father. It seemed so unfair that the lost son was rewarded for his irresponsible actions while the righteous son received nothing. However, this is the superficial way to view this parable.

In actuality, neither of the sons was righteous, and neither could live without the other. The younger son lives entirely through the grace of the father. It is no doubt that he has wronged his family through his actions, but he was forgiven wholeheartedly by the father, who ran to embrace his lost son. What is the cost of forgiveness? This man has lost half of his inheritance through the wasteful life of his lost son but never dwelt on his forgiveness. And his older brother is his example of becoming righteous and responsible.

The older son never disobeyed, disrespected, or dishonored his father. However, he lacks something his younger brother had: humility and brokenness. He obeyed his father because it was the right thing to do, not because he has a desperate need for his father. It takes brokenness to truly need. Of course, this doesn't mean the older son should run away and squander his savings either. Just that he should learn this humility.

In life, we often do the right thing because it is right. Maybe we're like the older brother, who is self-righteous. Or maybe we're like the younger brother, who takes his family and security for granted. Either way, it's time for some reflection through this Christmas season.

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My name is Connie
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