Home for Christmas

Advent Devotional by Elna Johnson

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him may

not perish but may have eternal life.”

—John 3:16—

The date was Dec. 16, 1989, and Christmas preparations were well underway. I received a call that Saturday evening from my sister. She said my aged father, who was well past 98 years of age and resided in a nursing home in Colorado, had breathed his last breath.
Dad had lived a good life and as I thought of the timing of his death, at first my thought was how sad just before Christmas. Then I began to think of the memories of all the wonderful Christmases and other times we had shared together. As I began calling relatives the next morning to tell them of his death, I recall particularly calling cousin Mary in eastern Nebraska and starting my call by saying dad had “gone home for Christmas.” It seemed so right and peaceful to think of him with my mother and other loved ones who had received their heavenly reward. Mary was a retired school teacher and enjoyed writing poetry. Ironically, at her memorial service last November as some of her writings were read, a poem entitled “Home for Christmas,” which was in reference to my call to her, still gave peace for both of their deaths. As is the case with all loved ones I find so much more peace in dwelling on the positive and happy parts of their lives rather than dwelling on their death.
For my dad’s service, one of the songs which still speaks to me is the verse “Our Father Has Light In His Window, He bids me come home, come home!” God gave his only Son so that all who believe may have eternal life.

Prayer:
Thank you God for parents of a Christian home with love abounding. Amen