Christmas must be close to Heaven

Christmas officially begins for me at the Christmas Eve service (not in October when the malls all decorate for Christmas). Then when you drive home from the service, you realize all the malls, grocery stores and gas stations are closing down. No more making money. The only ones working are those who are offering compassion to the sick and hurting. The only ones on the road are those who are going to and from gatherings. How quiet. You really get the sense of a "Silent Night."

Then you have your family. Everyone who can possibly be there is there. There is always a high priority for "being home for Christmas." Hopefully, no one is missing. No one is in a hurry. Sit, laugh, eat, watch a movie, share memories, look at old pictures, talk sports (no politics, it's Christmas), meet potientially new family members, welcome new babies to their first Christmas, sing a carol or "Christmas in Dixie". What a time. You want to put it in a bottle and capture it.

Is this not the closest thing to Heaven on earth? There will come a day when work will be over. Do you remember those words by Bill Gaither?

The market place is empty,
No more traffic in the streets,
All the builders' tools are silent,
No more time to harvest wheat;
Busy housewives cease their labor,
In the courtroom no debate,
Work on earth is all suspended
As the King comes thro' the gate.

My wife actually has that song on my cell phone ringtones. The King is coming and all of God's family will be home. Not for just a day-or-two; but all eternity. And not only for those who are alive. But the family from Adam to Abraham to John. Mom and Dad will be there. And no one will be in a hurry. The music will be "heavenly" and you talk about a meal God will spread for His children.

Yes, Heaven will be like Christmas. Except for two things - in Heaven, there will be no sadness. No tears for those who are missing. No more tears period. And in Heaven, Jesus will be the center of attention. He will be receiving the gifts of crowns, the bowed knees and shouts of praise. He gave His life and paid the way for everyone who would believe in Him to come home for eternity. And everyone there will realize they didn't get there by their merits or money; its all about what Jesus did.

Thank you Lord for a foretaste of Heaven this Christmas. It was after John saw Heaven and experienced it that he cried "Come, Lord Jesus!" I join my voice with Him and say, "Maranatha." And we wait for Christmas 2008 or "to be really home for Christmas." You decide Lord! Either way is fine with me.