Bishop of The Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name” (Ephesians 3:14-15)
As we share in another Christmas we remember the Diocesan Theme for 2025, “Family Matters”, and we celebrate the best of family living, whatever form our family may take.
Consider the Holy Family, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. The couple travelled together to Bethlehem to register in the census. When they arrived, the hotel was full, so they had to lodge in a stable. Despite this inconvenience, they kept their focus on their soon-to-be-born baby and felt joy and thankfulness when he was born. They found happiness in being together as a family.
This is one of the most important things about being in a family: not having all of the material things we may want or need can be made easier by a family’s love. Being together and staying together through sunshine or storm is what counts.
No matter how your family is made up, or what challenges you face, the family that sticks together and seeks to walk in the way of Christ will make it through.
Here in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, an important part of Christmas is getting together, fellowship, laughter, eating, debating sports, junkanoo, and politics, being with those we do not see all the time. Let us treasure this. Seek to maintain and to build family life so that others may feel the love that only family can radiate.
Modern western culture puts heavy emphasis on having, giving, and receiving material things, but the real and lasting joy of life – and of Christmas – is relationship, love we have to give and receive.
Let us observe and celebrate what the Holy Family teaches us at Christmas: being together no matter what and finding security, comfort, and contentment in that unity. This is God’s invitation to us all.
Let us celebrate relationship this Christmas like we never did before. This is a gift from the God who is the God of ALL of the families of the earth (Genesis 12:3; Acts 3:25; Ephesians 3:15).
May our family time cause Christmas to be more meaningful. May we build family togetherness against all the challenges that may come our way. May we and others feel God there.
My family and I wish you and yours a happy Christmas and a blessed New Year.