One of the great metaphors for Christmas is home. Weeks from now millions will be coming from distances far and near. Just to touch some base, feel some emotional tug, find some place real or imagined where we feel safe and secure. And those at home will be preparing all sorts of ways to say welcome to all us loved ones that come.
One of my favorite home stories comes from Robert Penn Warren. In his book, A Place to Come To. He tells a story about a young man raised in a dreary place. I think it was a coal mining town where life was hard and hope seemed far away. The Mother and Father lived there with their little boy. As he grew older his mother was determined that he would not be trapped in that town as so many others. Over and over she would say,”Son, one day you are going to have to leave.” And after the boy had graduated from High School his Mother kissed him, held him tight and told him he could not stay. She wanted him to live in a better world and know a better life. Saying goodbye was the hardest thing she ever did. So he left and found a larger place and a bigger world. She wrote him often just reminding him: “ You can’t come back,—you might get trapped.” And so he missed them so much but stayed away.
Years later his father died and the mother married again. The boy had never met his stepfather. And when his mother died he came back for her funeral. His stepfather told him, “Did you know that your Mother changed the sheets on your bed every week just in case you decided to come home.” No wonder Warren, the author entitled his book A Place to Come To.
For me this is a Christmas story. There really is a place we can come home to. No wonder most of us make that trip back year after year. We know when we get there a candle will be in the window and our family members will hug and kiss us and welcome us home.
Christmas comes in just a few weeks. But whoever we are and what we have done or not done the sheets on the bed have been changed and we will find love and care and warmth.
“Unto to us a child is born…unto us a son is given …and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’”
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