Not Home for the Holidays

I have been musing over what must have been going on at home this Christmas since we had decided to stay out east. There is something unique about 'home' and not just the physical house but rather the people, the friends, the family, the smells (yes, even lutefisk). As I contemplate my desire to be at home God has been gracious to remind me of the ultimate home. No, not golden streets, or mansions but the people, the family, and particularly, our God. The desire, to be at home with family during this season, should pale in comparison to the desire of sitting with my spiritual family at the Marriage Feast where we will all be with the Lamb who was slain on our behalf.

To be more specific... I remember the past of sitting down at a long table stretching from the dining room to the living room which was packed with family and food. After we found our seats and the 'moms' took pictures we would all look down the table anticipating my grandfather's words of spiritual reflection and then his prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. This aspect of Christmas will not be the same this year for any of us because Grandpa was called 'home' this year. It's bitter-sweet to consider these things but I would have to say that it is far more sweet than bitter. Why? Because the joys we have experienced as a family with our grandfather around a long table packed with family and food is a foretaste of our true family, our true home and our true Father! It will be nothing less than our experiences together as a family here but it will be exponentially more fantastic there for we will be together, face to face with our Redeemer... finally at home!