Amid the hustle and bustle of a brisk late-Fall day, I listened to shoppers all around me at the grocery store. While some were intent on filling their carts, others were chatting about family, friends or the latest news. But through it all, I often heard the words, "What are you doing for Christmas?" That holiday was rapidly approaching and I asked myself the same question.

Always before our entire family had gathered at our home after the Christmas eve service. With the firelight snapping in the livingroom, the children, and later grandchildren, bounced eagerly around the room, anxious to discover what treasures were waiting for them under the Christmas tree. We always had several generations present from both sides of our family and, if loved ones had been away, the words "Welcome home" rang out with love. But this year would be different. Many of our oldest generation would be missing and our daughter and granddaughter had just moved away. Oh how I would miss them all. Christmas, the day when we celebrate the birth of our Lord, just wouldn't be the same without all those loved ones gathered in our home.

And then I remembered, this was a birthday party for Jesus! The celebration needed to focus on HIM not on what I wanted. No matter where my loved ones were, whether they'd be celebrating Christmas in heaven with Jesus or merely across the state, we could all join in that one single purpose. After all, Jesus is "the reason for the season." It isn't MY house that needs to be full, it is HIS. He is the one standing at the door with arms open wide and a wonderful smile on his face. His voice of love greets each of us as we focus on the true reason for the celebration, "Welcome home. It's Christmas!"

These pages of Advent devotions are crafted in prayer and love for each one of you. A gift from the hearts of many NazNetters, you are invited to celebrate this holiday season with their message of love. In each one, may you hear the loving voice of Christ who calls you saying, "Welcome home. It's Christmas!

~ Marcia Mitchell
Walla Walla, Washington