It is often a goal, a desire, a ‘whatever it takes’ to get home for Christmas.  To mom and dad’s house, to see the cousins, grandparents, siblings.  Or maybe it’s just a traveling nurse, excited to get back to her home (where her family is) for the holiday.  Songs promote it, advertising promotes it- especially airlines😊. 

But, what is your definition of home?  What family needs to be around to make it feel like you are truly celebrating the holiday?  Is it a location, a ritual, a tradition?   My son had to watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas for a school project and Cindy Lo just wants everyone to be included.  The town learns that the true meaning of  Christmas is togetherness, but is it?  Thor concludes after Asgard is destroyed that “Asgard is not the place, it is where people live”.  Home is where the heart is.  Where does your heart lie?

Home.  Something Jesus did not have.  Yes, he has parents that raised him, but he roamed around, teaching, healing, he was a nomad, “no place to lay his head”.  Yet he was filled up!  He encouraged those that wanted to be his disciples to leave their homes behind them and give fully to the cause.  How many of us are willing to do that?  How many of us are willing to give up our “home for Christmas” in order to do His work? 

I was sitting here on the hospital daybed, which my back is revolting against, thinking about home.  Wishing I could be at a typical holiday party stuffing my face with all these new boards full of amazing assortments.  The Christmas cookies.  Yes, my figure is probably grateful, but I miss it.  But I also know that my place right now is here.  That Christmas is a day that we celebrate more than just family being together, but the birth of a Savior.  A Savior who is our whole reason for living.  We don’t know if the four of us, Chad, Tripp, Caleb, and I will be able to spend Christmas together, but what we do know is that we are currently celebrating life, opportunities for life.  A day is a day- but the opportunity to do the work of the Lord is so much more important. 

So you say, how is sitting in the hospital doing the work of the Lord?  And you are right to ask!  Because when a nurse walks into you singing worship hymns, sees you praying, stops and shares your and their testimonies and encouragement for the road, or even hears a ‘thank you’ for their over-the-top work, you are reflecting a living Jesus.  Hupomone.  Whatever you are going through- point it to Christ and how He is using you on the journey He gave you.   So, while Tripp fights against the tumors in his head and spine, we are sharing Christ whenever we get the chance. No matter what.  Yes, it’s easier when we are on the top of the roller coaster, but how we respond to the ‘over the top’ we are in says so much more.  Not throwing a fit about not being all together on a day speaks loudly.  But it sure would be nice to wake up next to my husband, drink a cup of coffee, and watch my kids get excited to open gifts.

This year, when you think about being ‘home for Christmas’ don’t forget the One whom Christmas is all about- and how He had to leave His home to ultimately die for our sins.  Give him a home in your heart today!