The Way Home: Finding Peace and Belonging This Christmas
Have you ever felt far from home—not just in the physical sense, but emotionally and spiritually? This longing for home, for a place of peace, refuge, and belonging, is something deeply woven into the human experience. During the Christmas season, this yearning often becomes more pronounced. Thankfully, the gospel offers a way to find our true home in God, no matter how far we’ve wandered.
A Natural Instinct for Home
Scientists have studied the “homing instinct” in animals for years. Birds, whales, turtles, and even snails can find their way back to their nests or homes, often traveling thousands of miles. Humans, too, carry a deep longing for home—a place where they are fully known and loved.
This idea of home is also deeply spiritual. The Bible reveals our ultimate home is with God. In Luke 15, Jesus tells a story about a young man who abandoned home for a life of indulgence but eventually found his way back. Known as the parable of the prodigal son, this story illustrates our need for God’s love and our tendency to wander from Him.
This idea of home is also deeply spiritual. The Bible reveals our ultimate home is with God. In Luke 15, Jesus tells a story about a young man who abandoned home for a life of indulgence but eventually found his way back. Known as the parable of the prodigal son, this story illustrates our need for God’s love and our tendency to wander from Him.
Running from Home
In Luke 15:11-13, the younger son demands his inheritance, essentially saying to his father, “I wish you were dead.” He leaves home and squanders his wealth in reckless living. His rebellion highlights a strategy the enemy often uses: feeding us selfish desires and isolating us from those who truly care for us.
How often do we chase independence, thinking life on our terms will be better? Yet, like the prodigal, we find ourselves empty, broken, and far from the peace and belonging we hoped for.
How often do we chase independence, thinking life on our terms will be better? Yet, like the prodigal, we find ourselves empty, broken, and far from the peace and belonging we hoped for.
Hitting Rock Bottom
Eventually, the prodigal son loses everything. A famine strikes, and he is forced to feed pigs—an unthinkable situation for a Jewish man. He longs to eat the pigs’ food, realizing just how far he has fallen (Luke 15:14-16).
This is the reality of sin. It promises freedom but brings slavery. It promises life but leads to death (Romans 6:23). Yet, even in the depths of his despair, the prodigal comes to his senses, remembering the goodness of his father.
This is the reality of sin. It promises freedom but brings slavery. It promises life but leads to death (Romans 6:23). Yet, even in the depths of his despair, the prodigal comes to his senses, remembering the goodness of his father.
A Journey Back Home
The turning point comes when the son decides to return home. He rehearses a humble confession: “Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers” (Luke 15:18-19).
The son’s return demonstrates two vital steps for us: confession and repentance. Confession acknowledges our sin before God, and repentance turns us away from sin and back toward Him.
The son’s return demonstrates two vital steps for us: confession and repentance. Confession acknowledges our sin before God, and repentance turns us away from sin and back toward Him.
The Father’s Compassion
While the son is still far off, the father sees him and runs to embrace him (Luke 15:20). This scene is stunning. In that culture, dignified men did not run, yet the father disregards decorum to welcome his son. He clothes him in a robe, places a ring on his finger, and prepares a feast, celebrating his return.
This is the heart of God. He longs for us to come home, not to punish us, but to embrace us, forgive us, and restore us.
This is the heart of God. He longs for us to come home, not to punish us, but to embrace us, forgive us, and restore us.
A Practical Invitation
As we reflect on this story, consider: how far are you from home this Christmas?
1. Examine Your Heart: Are there areas where you’ve wandered from God? Take time to reflect and confess these to Him.
2. Turn Back: Repentance requires action. Turn from the things pulling you away from God and embrace His grace and forgiveness.
3. Extend Grace: Just as the Father welcomed the prodigal, we are called to show compassion to others. Who in your life needs to experience God’s love through you?
1. Examine Your Heart: Are there areas where you’ve wandered from God? Take time to reflect and confess these to Him.
2. Turn Back: Repentance requires action. Turn from the things pulling you away from God and embrace His grace and forgiveness.
3. Extend Grace: Just as the Father welcomed the prodigal, we are called to show compassion to others. Who in your life needs to experience God’s love through you?
Coming Home for Christmas
Christmas is a season of homecoming—a time to reflect on the God who sent His Son so we might find our way back to Him. Whether you’ve been away from God for a week, a year, or your entire life, His arms are open. Through Jesus, He has made a way for you to come home.
This Christmas, let’s embrace the love of our Heavenly Father. Let’s celebrate the gift of Jesus, who restores us to Himself and gives us a place in His family. And let’s extend His invitation to others, reminding them that they, too, are welcome home.
This Christmas, let’s embrace the love of our Heavenly Father. Let’s celebrate the gift of Jesus, who restores us to Himself and gives us a place in His family. And let’s extend His invitation to others, reminding them that they, too, are welcome home.
This blog is based on a message preached by Lead Pastor Dr. Brian Stone on Sunday, December 15, as part of the Home for Christmas series. You can watch the full message here.
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