Christmas Away from Home

One of my kids was having a good cry this morning and expressed to me how much they are struggling with being away from our family and all the familiar things that make Christmas special. I have been there too at times. I love Christmas: being with family, lights, baking, live nativies, programs, parties, friends... This year Christmas has been more low key as far as activities with others. It has given me time to think.

We live down the hill from a squatter village. Most of the people there live in crowded, dirty conditions. There is no way I would want to live there. It has made me wonder if Jesus might have felt this way. He was coming from the perfection of heaven to live in a sinful, crowded and often demanding place. Did He miss His father that first Christmas and the approximately 32 other Christmases He was on earth?

This Christmas I hope we can appreciate Christmas with a new perspective.