Christmas: a time of glowing candles, comfy living rooms, and warm gingerbread.
Christmas: an occasion to sing carols, meet up with family, and joyfully celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
Or, Christmas: a day of loneliness, longing, and separation?
While some people will be spending this Christmas tucked away in their homes with their loved ones, many won’t.
For many, Christmas is not only a time of smiles and hugs, but also of pain and grief and hard moments. And some people, including many TCKs, are away from family, friends, and home (or one of their homes) this Christmas.
But that is not a new occurrence. In fact, the very first Christmas story is full of people who were away from home.
Away From Home: Obeying and Fulfilling the Law
The “Christmas story” began many years before that very special night two thousand years ago. God knew from the beginning of time what would be happening when, how, and where.
A few hundred years before the first Christmas, prophecies were written down regarding the birth of the Messiah. One of these was about where He would be born: Bethlehem (Micah 2:2–4).
God orchestrated His perfect plan long before Caesar Augustus called for everyone to be registered. This decree meant that Joseph and Mary (who was pregnant and about to give birth!) had to travel from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem.
Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable and laid Him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. That very first Christmas, Mary and Joseph were away from home. It was hard and uncomfortable. But they did it out of obedience to the emperor and, most importantly, out of obedience to God.
Away From Home: Hearing the Good News
Not far away from where Mary and Joseph were, a group of shepherds were watching over their sheep, just as they had on many nights before. Being out in the wilderness meant danger. As much as we like to imagine them sitting around a fire, each cuddling a lamb while singing lullabies, this was not the reality.
Just like Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, too, were away from home and comfort that night. But it was that very night – out in their cold, hard life – that likely turned their world upside down.
Being away from home might have been a hardship, but that night it turned out for good. For out there, into the bleak reality of life, a choir of angels spoke, telling the shepherds of the birth of the Messiah.
Away From Home: Seeking the Saviour
Unlike our Christmas celebrations, the account of the very first Christmas didn’t end after a day or two.
We see yet more people leave their homes: the wise men, following the star they had seen appear and seeking the new King. They too, in their own way, brought sacrifices – travel, time, and gifts.
The wise men went all out to find Jesus. It cost them, but for them it was worth it.
Away From Home: A Sacrifice of Love
As much as we can (and should) be amazed about the sacrifices Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men made and about how they were away from home during the first Christmas, those sacrifices are all nothing in comparison to the sacrifice Jesus made.
Jesus left His perfect home in heaven, where He had a perfect relationship with the Father. He left His place of glory and came as a human, suffered, and though He did nothing wrong, He died the death of a criminal on the cross.
Jesus was away from home that very first Christmas because He loves you. His act of sacrifice that began in a manger and ended on the cross is the ultimate gift.
If You’re Away From Home This Christmas
If you’re feeling down because you’re away from one of the places you call home or some of the people you love this Christmas, know that you are not alone. Many, many people will be experiencing the same. And even more than that, the very first Christmas was full of people who weren’t home.
Think of Mary and Joseph, of the shepherds, the wise men, and most importantly, think of Christ Himself. Remember that He was away from His perfect home for you. And that He did it so that you could come back home.
TCKs for Christ: Writer & Email Manager
Sarah Susanna Rhomberg
is an MCK from Europe who is fluent in both English and German. She has cried many tears over the question of home, mother tongue, and identity, and wants to use these experiences to encourage others. Aside from writing, she loves reading, butterflies, and sunsets. Sarah wants to live her life for Christ and writes to glorify Him. You can connect with her at Truth & Hope.
tcksforchrist.com 
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