During holiday seasons, most of us have the opportunity to spend time with family. Family time is a time for good food, long visits, and a lot of catching up. It is also a time for reflection. As we reflect on family members, we swell with admiration for those who have done well. We also pause to reflect on the trials and difficult times during which we learn some of the most valuable lessons.

As we consider those who are older, we must give respect. In Leviticus 19:32 God told Israel of old, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and thou shalt fear thy God: I am Jehovah." Indeed, "The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head." (Proverbs 20:29) It is generally true that with age comes wisdom. "With aged men is wisdom, and in length of days understanding." (Job 12:12) Though Abraham made many mistakes, concerning this old patriarch, God acknowledged, "For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice. To the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him." (Genesis 18:19)

Among the greatest and most admirable qualities of the aged is the time and effort they have committed to teaching those who are younger. Paul commanded fathers: "Provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) Mothers must also share in these responsibilities. Timothy's mother and grandmother taught him from a babe the "sacred writings, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:14-15; cf. 2 Timothy 1:5) The aged women are to teach the younger women how to conduct themselves as wives and mothers (Titus 2:4-5). Let us "honor father and mother" (Ephesians 6:2) and widows who are "widows indeed" (1 Timothy 5:3). And those of us who are children or grandchildren ought to "show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God." (1 Timothy 5:4) Let us show appreciation for those who have gone before.

During family gatherings, we also reflect on the children: "What then shall this child be?" (Luke 1:66) We all hope that our children will do well in life and be free of problems along the way. But reality teaches us that they will experience trials during their lives, as we have during ours. What will our children become? That depends on how well we prepare them to face the challenges. God, through Moses, commanded Israel to teach their children and their children's children. "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes saw, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life; but make them known unto thy children and thy children's children; the day that thou stoodest before Jehovah thy God in Horeb, when Jehovah said unto me, 'Assemble me the people, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.'" (Deuteronomy 4:9-10) It is disturbing when children and grandchildren of faithful brethren never obey the gospel or, as soon as they leave home, forsake the Lord and His church. This weighs heavy on my mind, especially because I am a parent and a grandparent who, above everything else I want for my family, wants them to love and serve God throughout their lives.

I want to be able to provide for them the physical necessities of life, but if they forsake the Lord, surely I must examine myself to see if I did all I should have to provide for them spiritually (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Matthew 16:26). The Israelites failed to properly prepare their children, and the next generation did not "know Jehovah, nor yet the work which He had wrought for Israel." (Judges 2:10) Therefore, they did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah. What a great disappointment.

During family gatherings, there is time to swell with admiration for what our children have become. Proverbs 17:6 says, "Children's children are the crown of old men ..." Many children grow up distressed and discouraged because they never knew that their parents were proud of them. Perhaps they never told them. Indeed, seeing our children taking responsibility, correcting mistakes, and teaching their children the right way, is the "crown of old men." Some are critical of those who say they are proud of their children, indicating that pride, in any sense, is wrong. Yes, God condemns personal pride. Proverbs 8:13 clearly teaches, "The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: pride! and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate." Yet, concerning Abraham and Sarah, though they were not perfect and made many mistakes over the years, God said that he was "not ashamed of them, to be called their God." (Hebrews 11:6) Indeed, James referred to Abraham as "the friend of God." (James 2:23) In all of Scripture, Abraham is the only one who bears that distinction. Could we say that God was proud of Abraham?

During family gatherings, perhaps we think about heaven. Indeed, there will be an eternal gathering of God's family. And what a gathering it will be. There can be no greater blessing than to be a part of God's family. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with (Him), that we may be also glorified with (Him)." (Romans 8:14-17) The joys we share when we come together for worship are anticipatory of the joys of the great eternal gathering of God's family. Yes indeed, family gatherings are times for reflection.