Home For Christmas

My Grandfather died today around lunch time. He went pretty quickly, and that is something I had always hoped for. He got to live in his home on his own right up until the end even though dementia was starting to take its toll. It is a mercy that he succumbed to something other than the dementia. I only wish that he had been able to be home when he died.

My Grandfather lived to be 88 years old. He had a good life. He was married to my Grandmother for 63 years before she died 5 years ago. I told them on their 60th anniversary that if I ever lived to be married 60 years I was going to be OLD. Even more so now.

My Grandfather taught me so much about being a man when I was growing up. He was always so virile and positive and active. He was the most manly man I have ever known - although my Uncle Jim was a close second. John Wayne had nothing on my Grandfather.

He taught me how to work and how to live. He taught me alot about marriage and relationships. I will always cherish the times that I had with him. Thank God I have those memories. I will remember all of the times that I helped him working in the bees, or putting up corn or honey. I will remember quail hunting with him and the many fishing trips that we had together. Our last fishing trip together was less than two months ago. It was the best one that I can remember in years. He had such a good time. God is so good to have given that to him - to us. God, I'm going to miss him.

Yet, in the midst of the loss that I feel right now I know beyond even the merest glimmer of a doubt that his joy is full right now. He was a Christian. He believed in Jesus Christ and had accepted His sacrifice for his sins. Today my Grandfather is with the Lord and my Grandmother and so many other saints in paradise. He is no longer plagued by weakness, but is completely whole again - whole for the first time and amazed by the things that he is beholding for the very first time. I wouldn't take him away from that now if I could. It reminds me of a really poignant song written by Steven Curtis Chapman called Going Home For Christmas. Thank God for this hope that all believers share - goodbye between those in Christ is never forever, for we will one day be reunited for all eternity.

Going Home For Christmas

Her house was where the family gathered
every Christmas eve;
A feast was set on the table and
gifts were placed beneath the tree.
Everything was picture perfect,
Grandpa would laugh and say,
That woman spends the whole year
getting ready for this day.

One year the leaves began to fall
and her health began to fade;
We moved her to a place where
they could watch her night and day.
But she kept making plans for Christmas
from her little room;
She told everyone, I’ll miss you
but I’ll be leaving soon.

I’m going home for Christmas
and I’m going home to stay;
I’m going home for Christmas
and nothing’s gonna keep me away.
I’ll be with the ones I love
to celebrate the Savior’s birth;
This gift will be worth more to me
than anything on earth.
I’m going home, home for Christmas.

All the leaves outside have fallen
to be covered by the snow;
The family comes with food and gifts
and Grandpa comes alone.
There’s a sadness in our silence
as the Christmas story’s read,
And with tears, Grandpa reminds us
of the words that Grandma said.

I’m going home for Christmas
and I’m going home to stay;
I’m going home for Christmas
and nothing’s gonna keep me away.
She’ll be face to face with Jesus
as we celebrate His birth,
And this gift will be worth more to her
than anything on earth,
‘Cause she’ll be home.

And as we sing ‘Joy to the World’
I can’t help thinking
Of the joy that’s shining in her eyes right now.
And though our hearts still ache,
we know that as we celebrate,
She’s singing with the herald angels
and heaven’s glowing on her face.

And now she’s home for Christmas
and now she’s home to stay;
She’s home for Christmas,
and nothin’ could’ve kept her away.
She’ll be face to face with Jesus,
as we celebrate His birth,
And this gift will be worth more to her
than anything on earth.
She’s home, she’s home for Christmas.
She is home, she’s home for Christmas.

Steven Curtis Chapman