It is hard for me to believe that we are coming up on our 14th Christmas in Mississippi. I had to count it just now, twice, on my fingers. Yes, it’s true! Mississippi is home for me and my family. But, so was Georgia, and so was Ohio…but only because God taught me a significant truth about what home is 16 years ago: Home is where God has planted me. Home is where I am.
In 1998, Michael and I moved from the only home we knew (metro Atlanta) to Cleveland, OH with 15 month-old Lily. In that first year, we made the 1400-mile roundtrip to GA at least seven times. Even though the Lord was showing Himself faithful in so many ways that helped us feel settled in a new (and COLD) place, we missed “home.” I can remember sometimes feeling the dread of having to leave GA before we ever got there for a visit. I would buffer my happiness so that the letdown wouldn’t be as strong.
About two years into our four years in Cleveland, I got to visit some old Sunday School friends in GA. I started talking to them about how hard it was to go back to OH after a trip, even though we were happy there. I asked some of them who were not from GA how they adjusted to living away from their home. My friend Henry told me how, through his moves, he always remembered Heaven is his true home… and that truth helped him feel at home wherever he was.
I got that! Not immediately… but I chewed on it, and I prayed about it. I stopped saying, “We’re going home for Christmas” and said “We’re going to GA for Christmas.” I treasured the weighted-down, snow-covered evergreens and the surprise sweat I would break while snow shoveling. It was still sad at times, but affirming this truth that my home was where I lived with my husband and kids (and, ultimately, with Jesus), was lifegiving to me. As our family grew and our children got older, we developed a tradition of being at our own home for Christmas, making travels to extended family either before or after; which was also helpful.
Jesus must have known we would need some help feeling at home, because in John 15:4, He extends the invitation to us, “Abide in Me!” The Jerusalem Bible actually says, “Make your home in Me.” More than any earthly home can offer, Jesus is our shelter (Psalm 91:1), our rock and refuge (Psalm 62:7), and our dwelling place (Psalm 90:1). How do we make Him our dwelling place…our habitation? Paul’s words in Colossians 3:16 give us insight: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” And, again… listen to how the Jerusalem Bible puts it: “Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you.”
In this Advent season, I encourage us to ask the Lord to show us how to make a home for Him. Let’s ask Him to let scripture permeate us a little deeper. We know the Christmas story, but every day is a new chance to know Christ more intimately. Not only did He ask us to abide in Him, but He also said He would abide in us. He takes up residence in us. What a Savior!
As we celebrate His birth, let’s sink into our true home a little more. No need to buffer ourselves, because Jesus is the home we never have to leave; and in knowing Him, we have the hope of being welcomed into our eternal home which He has prepared for us.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Merry Christmas, St. Mark’s!!
Jo is a Licensed Professional Counselor at St. Mark’s. You can reach her by phone (601- 259-1749) or email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
