This is a thrilling Christmas break for the Nielson family, the highlights of which are the weddings of two of our sons. Our oldest son Jon was married on December 20 in Chicago, at the historic Moody Memorial Church, and our middle son Dan (2008 Covenant graduate) will be married on New Year’s Eve at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Waco, Texas. What a delight to welcome into our family two beautiful, wonderful daughters! After living in a household with only males, Kathleen is very, very happy to have some female companionship!

I have the privilege of giving fatherly charges to both couples during their wedding ceremonies. For Jon’s and Jeanne’s charge, I focused on Paul’s words in Philippians 2, where the apostle says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Of course this verse is in that opening paragraph of chapter 2 which precedes Paul’s marvelous hymn of praise to Jesus Christ, who, looking to our interests, humbled himself to take on flesh and die in our place, and was therefore exalted to the highest place and received the name above every name. I exhorted the bride and groom to continue the rich heritage of wives and husbands in their families who had recognized, treasured, and embraced their spouses’ interests, honoring respective gifts and callings and discovering that God melded minds and hearts and purposes together into fruitful family unity for ministry and service.

At the risk of stealing my own thunder for Dan’s and Lyndee’s wedding, I will hint at this week’s charge, from Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 2: “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.” Paul has rejoiced over the faith, love, and hope that he has seen demonstrated in the lives of the Thessalonian Christians, and he regards them as one of the true treasures of his life’s work – so much so that he envisions that day when he will lay them down as a glorious crown before Jesus Christ at the last day. What a beautiful pattern for a husband and wife, who, according to God’s pattern for marriage, would live together through the years with such tender mercies and strong honor that they might present each other to the Lord as their glory and joy, crowns of boasting in the marital blessing of God’s love and grace!

This will be a memorable Christmas, to say the least. These weddings are opportunities to remember once again the covenant blessing of God through the gospel across the generations. Our hearts are full of thanksgiving as we witness the faithfulness of the Lord, not only in our family but in the wider people of God who are witnesses with us to the truth and beauty of Jesus Christ, who is preeminent in all things.