Christmastime in my childhood meant traveling to a far distant land called Clarksville, TN to be with our extended family. This town was anywhere between 6-12 hours away depending on where we lived at the time. As a child, I would stare out the window, look up at the stars, and imagine I was like the Wise Men traveling at Christmas. The anticipation grew the closer we came to Clarksville until finally we went down the hill to the little white house.

My dad would turn off the headlights as we approached, and the three kids would get out of the backseat and run to the house. We would knock on the front door and wait. As soon as we heard my grandmother approaching, we would run around the house to the back door and knock and wait. This repeated for a few times, as she kindly played along, until we would wait for her to greet us at the back door to come inside. It was a wonderful feeling to be welcomed by someone so loving and kind; to be welcomed by family who loved us!

God created humanity for relationships; a place for welcoming and loving. Family is supposed to be a safe place to form healthy relationships; although this is not always the case. When it is not the case, we have a loving Heavenly Father who still desires a relationship with us. How do I know He loves us? Remember that little girl in the car who looked at the stars and got excited about traveling like the Wise Men? She was also sad that when all the people gathered around Jesus on that first Christmas, she thought of God being in Heaven alone. He loved us so much that He was willing to spend the very first Christmas without Jesus by His side.

Wow! What sacrifice the Father made for us; for me, for you! What sacrifice Jesus made for us that He laid down His life before we were ever born. He died for us; for me, for you! And because Jesus rose from the dead, we have been given the Holy Spirit so that we have heavenly air flowing through us; through me, through you. This story gives us meaning, purpose, and a place in God’s family.

You might be standing in front of a door today knocking. Life presents many decisions. You can choose to run away to another door, or you can stand boldly and allow the door to open. Will you run away or will you stay and be welcomed by your family? Are you feeling alone standing in front of your door during this Advent season?

We are never alone; no matter how dark the night. We are never alone; no matter how long the journey. We are never alone; no matter the sorrows. We are never without family because we have God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and fellow believers. We are never alone; no matter the door in front of us. Stand strong and allow God to open your doors. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. It’s time to walk through your door!

© 2017 Susan M. Sims

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