Does marriage have anything to do with Christmas?
At Christmas, I think about a God who wanted a relationship with me so much that He sent His Son to bridge the gap between God and man. But what does that have to do with marriage?
Near the end of the famous marriage passage in Ephesians 5, Paul says, “This is a profound (mega) mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” (verse 32) He’s discussing marriage before and after this verse. So, if our relationship with our spouse and our relationship with God are similar, what are those similarities?
First, God created Adam and Eve as relational beings. Eve filled a loneliness in Adam. She was fashioned as a suitable helper for him. The idea was for them to function together in harmony. God also desired a relationship with us as well.
Unfortunately, Adam and Eve severed that relationship. Rebellion destroyed the sweet relationship with God and fractured the work of the Holy Spirit to work in us and flow through us. To restore that relationship, God took the initiative and sent Jesus into the world as a baby. We celebrate the coming of Jesus and renewed relationship with God at Christmas.
Second, when we talk with, work alongside, and show love to our spouse, our relationship gets closer and deeper. You may have even noticed that husbands and wives who have been married a long time begin to resemble each other. The same is true of our relationship with God. As we sit, stand, and walk in His presence, we become more like Him. When we accept the Christ child that God gave us at Christmas and submit to His plan, we start on a path to becoming more like Him, too. The journey takes a lifetime, but we become holier, more loving, and our thinking is clearer.
Spend a little time this Christmas season thinking about God’s incredible gift and growing in one-ness with Him—and with your spouse.
Merry Christmas from The Marriage Dance!
