The Unlikely Family of God

Outsiders: A Christmas Story: The Unlikely Family of God

When we peer into Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, we find ourselves looking at what appears to be a badly composed family photograph. The subjects seem out of place – a young carpenter wrestling with doubt, his pregnant fiancée whose child isn’t his, wise men from distant lands practicing forbidden arts, and a paranoid puppet king burning with jealousy. This is hardly the dignified path we might expect for God’s entrance into our world. Yet this is precisely how God chose to work. He deliberately arranged these unlikely figures into His family portrait, just as He had woven together the tapestry of Jesus’ ancestry with threads that might make us blush – Tamar’s deception, Rahab’s profession, the aftermath of David’s great sin. In Bethlehem’s story, we see God’s signature way of working – not through the powerful and polished, but through the unlikely and unprepared. Joseph, fighting his instinct to divorce Mary quietly, instead embraces God’s larger story. Pagan wise men bow before a Jewish infant, their forbidden star-reading somehow transformed into true worship. Even Herod’s murderous rage becomes the dark backdrop that pushes the holy family toward Egypt, fulfilling ancient prophecies. This is more than history; it’s an invitation. The same God who orchestrated this unlikely nativity continues to craft surprising family portraits today. He’s still gathering outsiders, still redeeming broken stories, still working through despair and doubts and detours. The infant child grew into the crucified and risen Lord, and through Him, we too are welcomed into this beautifully unexpected family of God. Perhaps you feel as out of place as a Gentile astrologer in Jerusalem. Take heart – you’re in good company. This is exactly the kind of family God has been building since Bethlehem.

Caleb McCaughan, Preaching Minister

The Unlikely Family of God:Outsiders: A Christmas Story

Dinner Table Conversations:

Adult & Teen Table Talk:

• Matthew’s account shows how God worked through messy family situations and imperfect people throughout Jesus’ lineage. How does this reality encourage you when you feel inadequate or when your family situation is complicated?
• The wise men were religious outsiders who God used to honor Jesus and protect Him from Herod. Can you think of a time when God worked through an unexpected person or circumstance in your life? What did that teach you about how God works?
• The wise men brought valuable gifts to honor Jesus at great personal risk and effort. What does it look like in your daily life to bring your best to Jesus? What “gifts” (talents, time, resources) might God ask you to offer Him, even when it’s costly?

Little Learners’ Table Talk:

• The wise men followed a bright star to find Jesus. What helps you find and learn about Jesus today?
• In the story, God used all kinds of different people – Mary and Joseph, the wise men from far away, and even the star in the sky! How do you think God might use you to help others learn about Jesus?