Do you remember that song? It’s something of a classic emphasizing the connections we have with home, meaning the place we most identify with no matter where we might be living at the time. And the celebration of Christmas often stirs up our feelings for that connection. No matter where we might be and no matter what we might be doing, home comes to mind during the holidays for many of us. And that connection often prompts us to travel, to travel back to that place we call home. As a bachelor, home has been identified with a place other than where I lived at the time. And even if family were no longer located where I grew up, my quest during the holidays was to find my way to that family, giving me that feeling of going home. It’s home that works to identify us; and central to our identity are those whom we recognize as family. Yet one of the problems with this is that we don’t always get along with those we regard as family. We can say we love each other from a distance, but when we’re together the dramatic conflicts that often inform family life can become evident. We have this ideal of home lodged in our head, but the realities of our relationships can easily become apparent during our sojourn with home and family. It can be disappointing; our ideals may even become disillusioned to the point that we end up feeling more alienated from those we call family than we were before we celebrated the holidays together. Why is that? And how can we resolve this?

I think the fundamental issue to be addressed is not found through efforts identified as conflict resolution. You know what I’m talking about: heart to heart conversations in which differences are identified, apologies are made and agreements forged. Such efforts can be helpful in the short term. And it may be the case that the circumstances might only allow for such resolutions to take place at the time. However, the conflict resolution that I’m thinking of here involves our posture before the One and Only and you know Who I mean. Where are you? Where are any of us at any given time, as it pertains to our connection with the Lord? That’s really the question isn’t it? Are we really going to be home for Christmas? Or are we going to show up for a gathering that seeks to enjoy life apart from God, giving only a passing reference to Him?

Depending on the nature of your situation, it may be that all that can be expected when we’re “home” for the holidays is a cordial encounter with those we identify as family. And that’s alright; we need to stay in touch with our relatives. However, I’m challenging those who regard themselves as Christians—including myself—to use that time to extend the blessings of the Kingdom to those who’ve been such an integral part of our lives. We all need to be challenged by the Gospel, and even if such a challenge results in awkward circumstances during a time of celebration, the seeds of truth regarding the Christ need to be planted. That’s easier said than done.

We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

Little children, guard yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:18-21)

I used these verses in a short reflection on Thanksgiving in the last post but it’s relevant for this discussion as well. Christmas focuses on the advent of God’s provision for salvation: the birth of our Savior. And the atmosphere of Christmas is one of celebration. This is certainly appropriate; the presentation of the one who would bring us salvation is a joyous event worthy of celebration. But what are we being saved from? The above text reminds us that the salvation the Messiah has given us is freedom from the powers of darkness, a new life in Christ. Jesus has provided a way to be “born again,” but that new life is not something that’s static; it’s not a once and for all agreement that has no bearing on our current circumstances. Rather it’s an inauguration into a new life that centers on our relationship with God; a relationship that needs to be “guarded.” The first of the Ten Commandments says that we should have no gods other than the Lord Most High, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we celebrate the appearance of the Son of God at Christmas. But are we recognizing and guarding against the tendency for us to serve other gods: the idols indicated in the above text?

I recognize this is an old argument that focuses on the real reason for celebrating Christmas. However, what I’m trying to emphasize here is not whether it’s appropriate to engage in gift-giving. I’m trying to give emphasis to what it means to “go home.” We can be in the place we call home, with the people we identify with home, and still not be home at all! And this is true even if we’re part of a family that is relatively free of conflict. Everybody can get along and enjoy one another’s company and still miss the mark.  How can this be? My response to that is to point out what it truly means to be home. Home shouldn’t really be defined by our geographical location, and the only “person” that is essential for us to feel we’re at home is the One who has “called [us] out of darkness into is His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) It’s the Lord of Hosts who defines our existence. He should be the focus of our attention, the one Who’s presence defines what it means to be home for the holidays.

Think about it! Consider it! Seek it! Seek Him!

Seek the Lord! Halleluiah! Merry Christmas!