People brave snow storms and icy roads to get home for the holidays. They pay large amounts of money for air tickets during prime travelling days. This is all for the desire to be home for Christmas. It is the time of year for family, for home cooked meals, for... home.
Yet, no one in the nativity scene was home. Mary and Joseph traveled miles from home to be in Bethlehem. The shepherds left their homes to come find the Christ child and the wise men traveled from far away lands. They all left their homes in search of the Son of God, sent so that the sons of men could come to God.
There are many who do not have a home, or home is not a welcoming place to be. Yet, even for those of us blessed to have a warm, inviting, this is not our eternal home. Jesus left His home so that He could take us back with Him, to a new and better home.
My heart goes out to the homeless today and I pray warmth, shelter from the harsh elements and a hot meal to be delivered to them. Even more, my heart goes out to the many who do not know Christ and do not have a heavenly home to look forward to. I pray for their hearts to be softened, for the conviction of the Holy Spirit and for them to accept God's love, forgiveness and eternal life.
Jesus left his home so that we would never have to be homeless again. Home begins now when we make our home with Jesus. It is consummated one day when He takes us home to our heavenly home.