Home for Christmas
That electric sparkle that charges the atmosphere of the homes of children in those days of preparation for Christmas, was evident in that home that snowy December evening.
Five sisters, already flanneled into nightgowns, flitted throughout the house, long hair dancing. Their father, usually not wont to tolerate such frivolity from his daughters, was tonight pointedly ignoring the offenses of running feet and shrill voices. As he added logs to the fire it was difficult to say whether the dancing light in his eyes owed its life to the reflection of the flame or the laughter of the children.
When they could contain themselves enough to stand still, the sisters would pause and help their mother finish decorating the Christmas tree. Earlier that day, after a lunch of thick soup and homemade bread, the family had plodded through the deep drifts behind their home, on out to the woods just beyond the old tire swing. Together they had selected the perfect tree which, as usual, didn't seem to stand quite as straight in its stand as it had in the woods. The tree decorations were handmade, most often by childish hands. Strings of coloured popcorn draped the top of the tree where the dog couldn't reach to pull them off and eat them.
Mother had just corralled the girls to watch as their father plugged in the tree lights for the first time when the front door blew open with such force that its wreath fell to the floor. Snow blew into the room as a young man stepped across the threshold. There was perhaps a moment of surprised silence before squeals of delight revitalized the momentarily quieted girls.
The young man was the image of his father. His face a bit thinner, his beard still dark. In a motion he must have rehearsed over and over on the long way home, he dropped his bag, spilling brightly coloured gifts across the floor, and gathered up his sisters into his arms. The girls squirmed away from contact with his snowy coat only to turn and throw themselves at him again. As the parents stood close watching this joyous reunion of their offspring, a sigh of contentment enveloped them. Now, with everyone home safe and sound, they were ready for Christmas.
Of course, not everyone's Christmas is like this. Perhaps your family never once enjoyed such a day and the story of this family makes your homeless heart turn away from their happiness. But before you go, you should know that there is a gift here for you too. It is from your Creator-Father. He is aware of your struggle and he wants you to know that there is a place for your heart to call home - and it is with him in his family. He longs to be your Father and he has already made you in his image. And we who would be your brothers and sisters cannot wait to welcome you into this family with all of the enthusiasm of the young girls in the story. You see, your Heavenly Father is everything you ever wanted in a parent. And he loves his children and yearns for them to join him in the family. It's Christmastime - why not come home?