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We Are Not Homeless—A Christmas Reminder

It had been a busy Christmas vacation, and now it was late at night; the little ones were in bed and mom was moving about the quiet house cleaning and picking up. It is amazing how much disarray two little children can create in a day. It was not a joyful task. Mom was tired and yearning for her own rest. As she straightened and put the house in order she found herself murmuring and complaining just a bit, “Why do I have to stay up and clean?” Why do I have to pick everything up?” “Murmur-Murmur-Murmur”

Playing softly in the background was some of her favorite Christmas music; turned down low so as not to wake the children. As mom was in the act of wiping off one of the counter chairs for what seemed like the fourth time that day, she suddenly became aware of her music. It was the Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean. At that moment a familiar melody and lyrics registered “We are not homeless, homeless, like the Christ child was…”

She stopped cleaning and listened to the music; her heart instantly melting. The Spirit of Christ and Christmas once more filled her heart. “Why am I complaining” she thought? “I’m not homeless. I have this wonderful home, and I have these beautiful children that I get to clean up after. It is because of the Savior that I have all of this.”

Emotion welled up in her voice once again as she related the story to me. I share this as a reminder to all of us. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could be reminded to keep, for the whole year, the tender love and gratitude that Christmas engenders in our hearts. It surely would be a different world, don’t you think?