Cedars and Spruce

Greetings in Jesus' name. As I write this, the cedars and spruce outside my office window are bowed down with ten inches of new snow. I'll be heading out into my backyard woods this week wearing my new snowshoes. I'll just have to avoid snow down my neck!

Here's my weekly column for your enjoyment and inspiration. Blessings to you as you prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth. Sally Bair

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES

by Sally Bair

OUR TRUE HOME

Being home for Christmas may mean different things to different folks. Some of us spend time enjoying family, good food, and gift exchanging. Others like to be out on the ski slopes or simply prefer a quiet day at home.

For hospital patients, the homeless, our armed troops, and other unfortunate people, celebrating Christmas means spending the holidays in a home-away-from-home.

Jesus, Himself, spent His first few days or weeks in a homeless shelter. The little town of Bethlehem, not so little then, didn’t even welcome Him into the world. The town was more focused on accommodating the crowds of people who came to pay their required taxes to the ruling, Roman government. Only some country shepherds and wisemen from the east came to honor Jesus at His birth.

The name Bethlehem means “house of bread.” What better home could God have chosen for His Son Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, to begin His life on earth?

After Jesus’ death and bodily resurrection, the Holy Spirit—the third part of the God-head—came to make His home within those of us who follow Him. The Bible says we followers are His temple—the place where He abides. What better home than in our hearts can we find reason to share the Bread of Life—Jesus—with those in need? They too can find their home in Christ.

When we put the needs of others before our own, Christmas becomes what God intended it to be—a sharing of our “home,” Jesus, with others. With such a mindset, being home for Christmas also becomes a time to reflect on God’s eternal home. First Peter 2:11 tells us we’re “sojourners and pilgrims”, a reminder that this earth is not our home. Rather, we’re foreigners here on earth, traveling to our eternal home, heaven.

Making Christ our spiritual home and our hearts the home of God’s Holy Spirit will make being home for Christmas full of love, peace, and joy—no matter where we spend it on earth.

Lord, we want you to be our permanent, today-and-forever home. Come into our hearts, Lord Jesus. Amen.

www.sallybair.com