COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Christmas is right around the corner and I am really looking forward to it this year. Christmas has always been one of my favorite days of the year, I love everything about it. In 2019 my grandfather passed away on Christmas morning, which tainted the day for our family. Then losing my grandmother almost two years later, the holidays just haven't been the same. Last year I didn't feel the Christmas spirit in the least.

We put our Christmas tree up days before Christmas. We didn't decorate anything else in the house. I didn't watch a single Christmas movie or listen to any Christmas music. I just wanted nothing to do with the day. But this year I am ready to get back to the wonder, hope, joy, love, and peace that Christmas brings when we put our eyes on Jesus.

I have been reading Matthew West's new book, Come Home for Christmas and it has been blessing me in ways I didn't even realize I needed. Come Home for Christmas invites its readers into the true heart of Christmas.

Matthew says, "We throw the word joy around all the time, but I think we need to take a moment to think about what it means when we sing about it in Christmas carols or even when we read about it in Scripture. We use joy for so many different things- 'Opening that present brought me joy,' 'The Cubs winning the World Series brought me joy,' or 'Getting that raise brought me joy.' But the joy of getting a new iPhone can't be the same joy we find in the Bible."

He goes on to say, "The first Christmas exploded joy into the world, and as Jesus grew up and began His ministry, joy was a theme of His teaching. In fact, Jesus boldly promised that joy comes from Him."

Whether, like me, you have struggle with the holidays or you have been gearing up for the season for weeks, Come Home for Christmas is a book you will want to read. You will love the stories Matthew shares and you will walk away encouraged and excited for the holiday season.

To pick up your copy of Come Home for Christmas, click HERE.