December 22, 2007

Homeless@Christmas

What an interesting Christmas it is in the life of our family this year.  My siblings and I all seem to be in transition.  All of us are “homeless” at the same time.  How odd is that?  My brother and his wife are in the midst of restoring a 100-year-old home and are not yet able to live in it.  Sharon and Pat are about to begin building a home near where he teaches.  They are living with our parents.  Charles and I have been making plans to move out of our current living situation and have just recently purchased a home. We are remodeling before moving in.  Therefore we are not really decorating for Christmas in either place.  This year Christmas just won’t be the same for any of us, it seems.  

Though we are unable to be “home for Christmas,” decorate our own trees, or entertain at our own tables, Christmas is still going to be Christmas.  You see while I enjoy all these traditions of the holidays, they are not what makes Christmas what it is.

You know, come to think of it, if it hadn’t been for another family who found themselves homeless long ago in Bethlehem, we wouldn’t have a reason to celebrate at all.  Talk about things not going as planned - “Mary wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  What a bad time to find yourself without a roof over your head.  The King of  kings and Lord of Lords, in a barn!  From Heaven to Homeless!  What a sacrifice!

My prayer is that you will slow down enough to recognize what/who you are celebrating this Christmas.  Is it the “season” or the true reason . . . Jesus?

May you enjoy worshiping Him this Christmas!

-Laurie