Christmas: The Gift of Being Home

Christmas is here again—a time for stars, lights, Santa Claus, mangers, and delicious food. But Christmas is much more than these familiar images; it is the promise of being home. In a world fractured by loneliness, addictions, and a deep yearning for more, Christmas offers the gift of belonging—of finding a home, deeply connected to God and one another.

From childhood to advanced years, every person longs for something more in their life. We seek something that will quench our restlessness, satisfy our chaotic search for meaning, and fulfill our deepest longings. Often, we try to fill this void by buying things, staying busy, presenting ourselves in certain ways, or connecting with thousands of people on social media. Yet, day after day, year after year, the longing remains—and in many ways, it only intensifies, even as we keep searching for more.

Perhaps, beneath all our restless desires, lies a deeper longing to be at home—to truly belong. To be at home is to be accepted, appreciated, and loved for who we truly are. Home is not merely a place; it is an experience—a space where we can be ourselves and freely give and receive love. Until we are truly home—until we deeply belong—we will continue to feel restless, chaotic, and desperately searching for something outside ourselves.

Christmas reminds us of the profound truth that God came to us, offering a deeper relationship with both God and one another. We no longer need to search for a home, for in God, we find our home. And in God, all people become our siblings, including all of creation. Can we recognize the deeper yearning for God and for true belonging in all our restlessness and hustle? If we can uncover the roots of our desire for more, perhaps we can open ourselves to genuine connection with God and with each other. As St. Augustine once said, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in God." In God, we find the peace of truly belonging—not only to God but to one another, to our brothers and sisters, and to the whole of creation, all made in God’s image.

May the birth of Christ help us open our hearts to the gift of being home and inspire us to help others discover true belonging—deeply and authentically.