One of the popular Christmas songs that we enjoy at this time of the year is "I'll Be Home for Christmas". Christmas is the only time of the year that some people make it home to be with family. Something very important would be missing if they were not able to spend time with their loved ones during Christmas. Every Christmas there are families who will be spending their first Christmas without a member of the family who has died since the last Christmas. For these families Christmas may be very sad. Yet, they can find peace in knowing that if that departed family member knew Jesus he or she is in heaven.
Jesus was born so that your loved one could go there. That is why we sing of joy and peace. As I consider all that happens during this time of the year I am impressed by the fact that there will be many people who will not be with their families this year. Because of their absence from family they may have a difficult time enjoying Christmas.
There are specifically two groups of people that I want to mention who will be away from home this year, soldiers and missionaries. They are far away in other lands, some defending our country and others sharing the gospel with those who have never heard of Jesus. For many of these dedicated people the living conditions are not very good. Some are putting their lives on the line. Some are in danger of persecution. These are brave people who have dedicated their lives to a great cause. They will not be home for Christmas.
Being away from home is biblical. On the first Christmas the shepherds were out in the field. Mary and Joseph were away from home in a town called Bethlehem. The wise men were traveling from the east on their way to see Jesus. And most importantly, Jesus had left his heavenly home of glory to come to a world of sin so that you and I might be freed from sin and have eternal life.
It is not easy being far from home, especially at Christmas. Let me encourage you to pray for our soldiers and missionaries. I have some friends and acquaintances who are missionaries. Jenny is in China. Tracey, Paul and their three children are in Italy. Michael, Angela and their three children are in Georgia which is a former state of Soviet Russia. Tim, Jennifer and their three children are in Peru. There are many more that I am sure you know. Pray for these missionaries and those in the military who are away from home this Christmas. Ask God to fill them with his presence and encourage them during this Christmas while they are away from their families.
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