The last few nights Dave and I have been reminiscing about our Idaho home. It was more of a farmhouse, small and cozy.
We had four large blue spruce trees in the side yard, a big circular driveway, a cute front porch and one small bathroom but it was home. We got so much snow that Dave and our son would need to go up and shovel it off the roof.
We could be inside warming by the wood stove and look out at the colored lights shining on the snow covered branches. It definitely reminded us of a Currier and Ives Christmas card.
It was home!
Home is many things to many people. Some live in large and spacious mansions while others reside in small cottages. Our son lives on a boat and there are others like us who live in tiny homes. But one thing is the same, the comfort of home.
I remember the first time the song “I’ll be Home for Christmas” took on real meaning to my family. My brother had left for his tour of duty in Viet Nam in the summer of 1969. Mom continued with her Christmas baking just like normal and sent a couple of boxes of baked goods to him and his buddies.
It was hard not having him home that year, hard not knowing how he was or where he was. He was always in our prayers.
Maybe that’s where you are this year. There might be an ache in your heart because a dear loved one will be missing from your Christmas celebration. Do you know that our heavenly Father knows how that feels?
His Son came to earth for thirty-three years. They had never been apart before that. On the night before Jesus was crucified He was thinking of home.
“Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also. 2 There are many rooms in My Father’s house. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going away to make a place for you. 3 After I go and make a place for you, I will come back and take you with Me. Then you may be where I am.” John 14:1-3 NLV
Thinking of home but also making provision for all of us to join Him someday. Home for Christmas!
Our Father also has a heart for the wayward. He waits lovingly, patiently, for us to come home when we have strayed.
” While he was yet a long way off, his father saw him. The father was full of loving-pity for him. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him.,,Let us eat and be glad. 24 For my son was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found. Let us eat and have a good time.’ Luke 15:20-24 NLV
No Christmas celebration is complete if someone is missing. Step into the Father’s open arms and come home for Christmas.