Yes, yes, merry second week of Advent. We have been hearing scripture and having readings about the coming of the Christ child and when He comes again.
And we try to go “home for the holidays”, “I’ll be Home for Christmas “…you know the drill. Some have such high regards for Christmas that they imagine an idealistic world of peace. Hope. Love. (and eat, pray, love? You decide.)
You know the Folgers’ commercial where the missing adult child comes home again (and makes some crappy coffee) and mom gets up to the smell of the coffee to find her dear son, in the kitchen with a mug. You know that one? Tears.
How about the family of George Bailey? Dang. Passed the hat for him!
Or the fun stories, like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation? Fighting the neighbors over Christmas lights and joining around the burnt up Christmas tree? How about the bunny costume in A Christmas Story? Fun memories.
You can’t go back. The tree you once climbed is long gone, memories, like family members, are spread all over.
Mary Chaplin Carpenter sings “Almost Home”, and between you and me, I think she’s talking about an eternal home. And isn’t that the real meaning of Advent- Jesus is coming,? I’ll meet him halfway.
Going home can’t be a place. It is not what it once was, or what you choose to remember it to be. It’s isn’t just beyond the clouds- it has no location. It’s the only thing you can’t find on Google.
Home is an inside job. It is where you are loved, it is where you are safe, it’s where you get your peace and joy. There are no snowflakes, no cocoa, no hugs, no Folgers. Home cannot be made by someone else. Warm sugar cookies aside, there’s not a way to eat comfort food there.
Dig in. Find the peace, love, hope, and joy not “out there” but in here. If you dig deep enough you’ll tap into that spark God left in you when you were created and designed. I call it your “God-part”. It is there and only there, not because of the candles and Eucharist, but maybe with the candles and Eucharist, you have felt it. THAT is what home means. It’s not the warmth of the hot cocoa, it’s the warmth of the Holy Spirit.
He is coming. But He is here, too. “The kingdom of heaven is among you” Luke 21:31.
Go home. Go.
Revvin' it Up 