“I'll be home for Christmas….” That Christmas song written back in 1924, did not become popular as many singers wouldn’t sing it because they thought it was too sad to be sung at Christmas. Then Bing Crosby recorded it in 1943 and it became an overnight sensation. It was so popular in the US that it became one of the top-10 favorite songs that year.For our soldiers overseas in WWII the USO entertained and they found that this was the most requested song. Why would this song appeal so much to our soldiers? Well they weren’t home. And they weren’t sure WHEN (or even IF) they ever would get home. They longed for home; they longed for Christmas with their families. And so for our soldiers it WAS a sad song.This was a declaration that spoke of their hope of home. That is why it is such a great song for this season, as the birth of Jesus speaks of our hope for home. When our faith leads us to realize that this world is not our home then we begin to desire Jesus more than anything else on earth. Home is the treasure of our heart.Jesus said: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). And again, Jesus said “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6:33).The soldiers in WWII realized that they faced danger and hardship — even death. But one day they had a hope that they’d be going home.One day, Jesus was talking with His disciples and He told them “‘Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?... Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6). And in In John 14:23 Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and MAKE OUR HOME with him.” Jesus’ promise is that he will take us home!God described that home in Revelation 21:3-5, “(God) will dwell with them, and ...
