Oh Holy Night, A Journey to Bethlehem – Day Four, Belong

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.”  Luke 2:4

The desire to belong is an essential part of our human nature. Brené Brown, author of “The Gifts of Imperfection,” and an expert on shame, writes, “A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all women, men, and children. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick. The absence of love and belonging will always lead to suffering.”

Perhaps you know someone who does not feel like they belong, they may feel left out or forgotten? As we plan our feasts and celebrations this Christmas, let’s not forget to invite to our tables those without family or friends to share a meal, welcome others to our churches with open arms, or provide gifts for the children who feel forgotten.

God has called each of us by name and we belong to Him. (Isaiah 43:1) Let’s make sure we are sharing this message with others today.