In case you are from another planet, the new Star Wars movie comes out today.  Have you gotten your tickets yet?  If not, it is way too late as every theater is sold out.  Eventually I'll likely get around to viewing the movie, but I can't say I'm a huge Star Wars fan. 

Still it is the ultimate good versus evil storyline.  Among the cast of characters is of course Luke Skywalker, who is fighting the evil Darth Vader.  In a famous scene from early in the series, Luke and Darth are battling each other with their light sabers, when Darth famously says, "Luke, I am your father," to which Luke responds by screaming a mortified, "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo."
 
Poor Luke.  He is fighting evil but then discovers that he is connected to one of the most malevolent villains in all the galaxy.  It's the worst news that Luke could possibly hear.
 
Such words remind me of words of Psalmist:  "I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, "You are my son; today I have begotten you" (Psalm 2:7).  They are essentially the same words as spoken by Darth Vader, but here they are not bad news, but glorious good news.
 
It is the message of Christmas: God is with us.  God loved us so much that God sent the only begotten son.  Unlike
Star Wars, it is not a fictional story set in a galaxy far, far away.  It's real life here and now.  God is with us.  God has made us in God's image and claimed us has his own. 
 
Remember, my friends, God has no cousins, only children!

 
Prayer for Today

Lord, less we forget that we are made in your image, we thank you that you call us your children, for that is what we are.  We thank you that you have formed us and put us here to glorify you and enjoy you forever.  Amen.