The Christmas family story begins with Elisabeth (wife of Zechariah), whom we are told was a relative of Mary the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36). Then there are indications that James and John, disciples of Jesus, may have been his cousins, as Salome, their mother, is thought to be the sister of Mary. There are two reasons for this. First, Salome asked for her sons to sit, one of them on each side of Jesus when he came into his kingdom, showing that she thought there was some reason for this to be granted (Matthew 20:20-28). Jesus did not deny this was a possibility but said it was not his place to give such a promise. He merely asked them were they prepared to drink the same cup (suffer and die) as he was prepared to suffer and die. Secondly, Salome was with Mary, supporting her at the cross, and it was her son John whom Jesus asked to take care of his mother.
Then some ancient manuscripts call Cleopas (or Alpheus) the brother of Joseph (husband of Mary), so his sons, James and Jude (also named James and Thaddeus in Matthew 10:2-4), were also cousins of Jesus. It was not until after the resurrection that Jesus’ own brothers recognised him as the Messiah. Then they too became believers and Jesus’ brothers James and Jude later wrote letters to Christians which are included in the New Testament. So here we see many people, counting their spouses and families, related in various ways to Jesus. If we can rely on the ancient manuscripts and the scholars who have researched all this information, and I believe we can, then what a blessed family this was, to be chosen to play their various parts to help complete the story of Christmas, the coming into this world of Jesus the Messiah. (See also Cameos of Christ; pgs. 23 and 180-181).
