“(There’s no place like) Home for the Holidays” is an upbeat song… and a pleasant sentiment. But sometimes those words stir a longing for something that cannot be—at least not this year. In this post, we’ll explore the concept of “home” and what it can mean, even when it doesn’t match up to the pictures on Christmas cards. We’ll begin by considering a couple other songs that waft through the airwaves this time of year.
A song you might not think of as being about longing for home is “White Christmas”. The introduction is often left off of recordings, which I think is as shame because it sets up the emotional context of the whole song. In case you’re not familiar, here are those lyrics:
“The sun is shining; the grass is green. The orange and palm trees sway. There’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A.
But it’s December the 24th and I’m longing to be up North.”
So, he’s sitting in LA, dreaming of a white Christmas like he remembers. Good luck! For me, since New England holds a special place in my heart, and I grew up in an area with a lot more snow (and a lot less rain) than where I live now, that last line often brings a wave of nostalgia and tugs on my heart strings.
Clearly, home can be a geographical place. (It may be our current address, where we spent our childhood years, where our parents and/or siblings live, or even a place our hearts are calling us to.) It also can mean being with family and friends. In this song, I think “home” is both. It’s “up north” (where there is snow!) However, it also mentions the children who play in that snow, and the people being thought of as Christmas cards are written.
Everyone knows the poignant “I’ll be Home for Christmas”, which captures the longing to be home with loved ones. This must have resonated especially deeply when it was recorded in 1943, in the middle of WWII, with so many soldiers fighting overseas. Sometimes these words are difficult to hear because we can’t be home. Or perhaps we are geographically there, but our hearts are not at peace. For a variety of reasons, someone we love may not be with us.
This brings me to wonder: Are there meanings for “home” other than a place and the people who live there? What if we are “home”, but tensions are so high it doesn’t feel homey. What then?
There are several quotes that begin with the words “Home is where you feel loved…” (Attributed to M.F. Moonzajer, Tracey Taylor and Nawal Al-Saadawi) I would suggest that these words can give us a starting place to reframe our thoughts. These words do feel comforting and relaxing, don’t they?
Can this feeling of home be cultivated in an environment outside of the traditional images conjured up by the words, “home for the holidays”? It may take some creativity, but I believe it can. If your geography is not what you’d wish, you find yourself alone for the holidays, or need to take a break from too much uncomfortable family togetherness, here are some ideas:
- Meet a friend for coffee (or, if you prefer, burgers and beer).
- Have a long, relaxed phone chat with someone you would like to catch up with.
- Pour a cup of tea, perhaps pick up your Bible, and settle in a comfy chair to spend time with your loving creator.
- Take a walk out in nature, or sit by a beach. (Isn’t there a sense in which nature is our home?) Slowly breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the sights and the sounds, notice any animals, and let the peace soak into your soul.
- Set aside time to look at any Christmas cards you have received. Read them slowly. If there are letters inside, picture what’s being described. You may wish to say a prayer for the senders. If you’re inspired, pick up a pen to respond, or pick up the phone and say hello.
- Find a book that appeals to you. You may have even received one as a gift. And/or put on some good music. Grab a throw blanket, light a candle, and snuggle in. Take a deep breath. Enjoy the peace, or else perhaps you can be grateful for the sounds that let you know you are not alone.
- Walk or drive around to appreciate the way your neighbors have provided holiday cheer with their decorations. You could even drop off signed cards or little anonymous gifts.
- Consider how you could brighten someone else’s holiday.
Lastly, for people of faith, it may be comforting to remember that God is preparing a home for you that outshines anything in our experience.
If you find some of these ideas helpful, or have thoughts to share, please scroll down and write in the comments section below.
Wishing you moments that feel like home this holiday season. – JB
