Seele contributor, Thomasena Thomas shares her family Christmas traditions and that when looking at Christian traditions, it is the rules and guidelines of traditions that keeps the values of a family- or faith alive.

The new film “Little Women” out today is the classic American story of love and family. It follows the lives of four sisters, of their challenges, hopes and dreams.

To whom much is given, much is required, and that includes our families. Last week I wrote about how our relationships- those that breathe life into us and that bless us, i.e. work, romantic, and platonic relationships are gifts from God, placed in our hands for a reason. This week I will talk about family. God is asking, “what are you doing with what’s in your hand when it comes to your parents, children, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, grandchildren, and cousins?” Why should God bless us with more or take us to new levels when we haven’t mastered nurturing our own flesh and blood?

Every family has problems. And for some, what looks good on the outside is often not the case of what’s going on in the inside. Jacob, one of the Old Testament patriarch's, his family is not exempt from family problems.