I'll Be Home For Christmas

 "I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on it. Please have snow and mistletoe,  and presents on the tree."

Home for Christmas,  the phrase has a nostalgic sound, and brings up memories of family, friends, a church, and perhaps a pet.  Since these are important, let's ask, "what is family?"  Whom are we thinking of when we think of family?

Perhaps the question should be, "who is our family?"  Jesus was asked a similar question. "Who is my neighbor?" He answered with "The one who needs you."  We are to be neighbors to those around us, to anyone who needs us.   Mr Rogers asked, "Won't you be my neighbor?"

My family began with Father, Mother, and two sisters.  As my awareness grew, so did my family, with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. My church family added more to my growing family group. As my world increased in size, so did family in school, college, Seminary and grad school.

Along the way the way several important family members were added. Jesus came into my life, Rhonda, my wife, joined the family, four children were added, then later came spouses and grandchildren.  The family unit,  or "home",  became quite large in my life.

As I have grown older, many of the original family have departed, either through death, physical issues, or merely distance.  New family has joined me and life goes on, so to speak.

This coming and going of family leads me back to my home.  My family is my home...children, spouses, grandchildren,  and especially Rhonda, my wife.  We have been family for almost 48 years.  Rhonda is primarily in my thoughts concerning family. As close family is not as close due to physical distance, I find that Rhonda is my close family...my home.

I cherish being home for Christmas, being with my family, being with Rhonda.  You have been and continue to be my family...my home.

I love you, Rhonda, and I'll be home for Christmas.

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