It was the day of Christmas Eve and the family, including our two young grandsons, were coming to visit.
I prepared the home as well as I could, cleaning and decorating. I shopped for favorite foods to prepare. Presents were arranged on a table around two huge poinsetta plants. We eagerly waited for the family to arrive.
What a gift it was to have the whole family together to celebrate. I treasured every moment. As they were getting ready to leave, the seven-year-old said to his parents, "I want to stay here." Oh, joy!
On Christmas Day I went to Mass. The church was decorated most beautifully. As I sat in the pew, I realized how much at home I feel here.
I recalled Midnight Christmas Eve Masses years ago when the church was packed and there was standing room only. Sadly, not today. As I looked around, I saw some empty pews.
In a way, this church is Jesus' home on earth. He has a very special and real presence here. I was thinking that Jesus may be looking out at the empty pews, as I was, and longing for all his family to be here.
I thank the Lord for the family He has given me, and for my much larger family of faith where I feel so very much at home. Indeed, "I want to stay here."