“He blesses the home of the righteous.”  Proverbs 3:33

 One of the most popular Christmas songs ever written is the song, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” recorded by Bing Crosby.  It was written in 1943, World War II was raging in Europe and the Pacific. It was a dark time in our nation’s history for sons, daughters, father and mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and sweethearts.  The lyrics represented their hopes, dreams and prayers better than any song or story could.  Thousands of families had already lost their children in battle.  The streets were decorated, trees were sold on street corners and Santa’s bells still rang.  Parents prayed that every telegraph delivery man would pass them by.  The writer of this song saw empty chairs at tables and unopened presents under trees.

But it was a song of hopefulness as well, as if the soldier or sailor was saying to those at home, “Don’t worry, I’ll be home soon!”   Even if they could not be physically present, they would be there in their dreams because their imagination would take them home!  It captured a thought that was in the hearts of every service person in Europe and the Pacific and everyone in every war that has been fought:  Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan.  The desire for home!

My father-in-law told us he made it through North Africa, Sicily and Italy in World War II because he thought constantly of home and a little plot of land in Northern Michigan, 80 acres with a hunting cabin on it.  During dark moments his thoughts would fly back to Michigan, back to the woods and he would walk every part of that ground, just as if he were really there.  It kept him alive.  HOME!

I recently read a story about the crew of the Battleship North Carolina that really touched my heart.  It was the Christmas season in 1943, the chaplain on the ship knew the crew was feeling homesick since they were expected to be overseas during the holiday season.  He had an idea!  He collected $5. from every crew member who had children back home.  The Chaplain made a list of all the military families with addresses, sent the money to Macy’s department store with the request to buy gifts for the children and mail them to their homes in time for Christmas.

As Christmas approached, the servicemen gathered on the ship for the annual Christmas show that involved songs, skits and entertainment.  When the festivities ended, the chaplain had a surprise to reveal.  When Macy’s received the money with the list of addresses, they reached out to the families and invited them to the store to send a special message to their loved one who could not be home for Christmas.  The men aboard the North Carolina sat there and saw their wives, children and loved ones appear before them on the screen as Macy’s videoed each family sending a Christmas message.  Those sailors wept and rejoiced!  They weren’t home for Christmas, but they received a special gift that December, 1943.

“I’ll be home for Christmas, You can count on me

Please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find you where the love light gleams

I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams.”  Lyrics by Kim Gannon

In Luke 15, Jesus told the story of a young man who left home so he could “live it up.”  After he spent all his money, his friends deserted him.  Finally he came to his senses and started for home.  His father was watching, ran and embraced him and welcomed him back.  Our Heavenly Father waits to welcome everyone who comes to Him, believing in Jesus, repenting of their old life and trusting Him for their salvation.  Won’t you “come home” to Jesus?

Your friend, Jean