A friend and I were talking a couple of weeks ago about how homesickness usually peaks around the holidays. I don't really deal with it anymore, but homesickness can really sneak up on you. A song. A smell. A cup of hot cocoa. A slight chill in the air (it's a balmy 80 degrees right now). It's a reminder of the sacrifices we make to live here and how there are, for better and for worse, so many tradeoffs to living overseas. There's a lot of perks, really - escaping the hustle, the consumerism of the holidays, and no hectic travels. But there's the family we're without, the Christmas lights we can't drive around to see, the nostalgia. I wanted to share with you a poem that was shared with me this season, authored by a man who knew the feeling. 🎄
"Christmas is a time of family gatherings
In the home with gladness
United with loved ones
The joy of togetherness
With others to share.
But Christmas is also a time
Of separation – loneliness
Often at great distance
From those you love
For whom you care.
God the Son knew the pains
Of separation from the Father’s presence
And the glorious mansions
To take upon Himself
The form of man to share.
Mary and Joseph knew the cost
Of separation from home and friends
To travel to a Judean town
Which had no room for the Virgin
Her firstborn to bear.
The shepherds knew the meaning
Of separation when they were left
In the darkness
By the radiant Heavenly Host
But they took to heart the message
And glorified God there.
The wise men knew the results
Of separation from home and hearth
To travel over barren hills
To find the King of Kings
They knew not where.
At Christmas time when you and I
Come to feel the tug of separation
From those we love so dear
Remember we are not alone
Others too had hearts laid bare
With them we share."
- Ralph Edward Brown 1926-2017
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