I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Read Time / 2 Minutes

Theme / Holiday Celebration

“Perfect,”  I sighed.

Have you ever thought this when you are frustrated?

I was driving down from Idaho’s Treasure Valley to my hometown, San Jose, for Christmas.  It’s funny, as a child, I envied the idea of a white Christmas.  Now, here I am, driving away from snow for Christmas.  Anyway, I was less than 150 miles from my destination when I received a text.  “I tested positive for covid 19.”  A friend I had stayed with the night before thought he had only had the sniffles. My concern shifted from worrying about him to worrying about: How does this affect me?

My excitement for Christmas with my California family was scorched.  The timing could not have been worse.  Can you relate?  

Mary knew a thing or two about bad timing.  A virgin finding herself pregnant.  Yikes.  And, as she was about to give birth, her husband, Joseph, was required to go out of town for a Census.  Luke 2:4-7 continues, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manager, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Many of us have heard this story, but have we ever wondered why Mary, being close to giving birth, go with Joseph?  Did she have the option to stay back with family during the birth?  Why was there no guest room available for them?  Was it possible Joseph and Mary’s family were skeptical of Mary’s pregnancy?  There’s only speculation, but the Christmas story has bad timing written all over it.

For some of us like me, the anticipation of Christmas may be built on memories of family bonding created by playing games, sharing meals, and the exchange of gifts.  For others, this season can be a painful reminder of the family that is lacking. 

Though this day brings a mixture of emotions, we are thankful that God’s timing, which is often perceived as poor timing, is perfect.  On His watch, He made a way, starting with the humble birth of Jesus, for us to arrive to our eternal home — where we can worship God and enjoy Him forever.

Often, His timing includes simple pleasures.  A few hours late, I received an update from my friend informing me after stricter medical review he was diagnosed Covid free.  What a relief!  My family was happy to hear that I would indeed be home for Christmas.

Ryan De Amicis

Wealth Advisor

408.758.6413

ryan@christianwm.com