Scripture
But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” John 7:2-8

Observation
When my kids were little one of my favorite books to read to them were the stories of the Berenstain Bears. They were just an average furry family of four living in the hectic woods, and so they escaped to the wilderness for holidays. It was to be an idyllic week in the woods but there was a leaky roof, empty fishing lines and other inconveniences not in the travel brochure. The Berestains went home frankly like bears with sore heads, until the pictures arrived. What the remembered most from their vacation were not the pictures fit for a brochure, but the memories of all of the inconveniences.

This story of Jesus could also be called, “Too Much Vacation.” This account of Jesus’ tiff with his family was written into the Bible years after the very brother who had doubted Jesus became the head pastor of the biggest church. James, Jude (who himself went to write part of the Bible) and a few others had an agenda for Jesus, but Jesus had other plans.

It was holiday time, in fact it was THE holiday. The Feast of Tabernacles season was like our current Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years trifecta. Everyone looked forward to the autumn festivals. In fact the rabbis said it was a sin not to be happy at that time of year. But holidays accordion families into the tight confines of dinners, grandma’s house and road trips. Mary and Joseph’s kids were now grown with minds of their own. It was tug-o-war time in Nazareth as they tried as adults to live as if they were still children.

We have to read this story with a long term view. Years later I’m sure that James and Jude remembered this episode with a smirk. Jesus was obviously right and they were, well, just jealous brothers. What brought this family squabble to a happy ending was Jesus’ choice to listen to his heavenly Father rather than to the gossip of his siblings. That choice of Jesus to what God expected of him made all the difference. There was overwhelming pressure on Jesus to live up to their expectations.

But in the midst of all of the family murmurings Jesus could still hear his Father’s voice. He had to make this trip to Jerusalem alone that year. It would be like skipping Christmas dinner at mom’s house if that had been the rule for a thousand years. Jesus could hear the Father’s voice because he did not live with his adult brothers and sisters as if they were still children, but instead behaved like an adult and followed God’s direction for his life.

There must come a point in our maturity where God’s voice matters more than any other voice, even those that we love. Part of maturity is transferring from our earthly father’s house to our Heavenly Father’s house. It started for Jesus in the temple at age 12. It came into full focus while the family was packing for vacation. Listening to the Father first will not necessarily make the family happy…at first. But clarity comes when we play for an audience of one and live by his time schedule.

This story has a happy ending. James, Jude and even Mary herself had a 180 degree turn in their understanding of Jesus. It would never have happened if Jesus had toddled off to do what he had always done just to keep everyone quiet. Jesus had the courage to take an adult course of God’s direction for his life. That choice God could use in the future of his family.

Application
Christmas season is a little like the story of the Berestains and Joseph’s family. The joy of the season can short circuit with the reality of being together. When grown siblings attempt to direct life as if they were still living as children there is bound to be conflict. James and Jude later found the joy of releasing their brother to God’s plan, but first Jesus had to make that choice for himself. Our Christmases will be bright when we do what is right in God’s sight first. That has the greatest chance of long term happiness.

Prayer
Father, let my Christmas be blest this year. It’s the first in years and years that we will all be together. Help us to enjoy the uniqueness of the call you have for each and to bless that. And grant to each of us the courage to walk on as best we understand you. Amen.