“Home Alone”
Another theme that we will often see in some of our Christmas movies is broken relationships being restored. In fact, just about every Hallmark Christmas movie ever made has a story of estranged family members reconciling or young couples working through misunderstandings and renewing their committment to one another. It is the story we love to see over and over. It is a great feeling when people forgive and are forgiven…when love prevails and friendships are restored…when wrongs are made right and peace brings broken families together.
One of the more popular contemporary (1990) Christmas movies is “Home Alone”. It is the story of a young boy named Kevin McCallister who was a part a large family. He felt neglected and ignored and was, therefore, quite a handful. We are brought into the flurry of activity as the family (along with other relatives) is preparing to go on a Christmas vacation. Kevin’s bad behavior takes his mom to the edge and she sends him to a remote bedroom where he falls asleep wishing his family wasn’t around. When he awakes the family is gone…wish granted. In the hurried confusion Kevin had been left behind…home alone.
It doesn’t take long before a series of scary and funny events help Kevin realize that he loves his family and wants them back. By the end of the movie…spoiler alert…they are reunited and there are hugs and kisses and relationships are restored.
We are now moving into the second week of Advent which focuses on peace. It is key to the first Christmas. Isaiah prophesied,
“For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
This is the message that God brings to us through Jesus! The broken relationship between God and humankind can be restored. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds that night, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…” (Luke 2:14).
This peace that the Scriptures talk about is not just an absence of conflict. The peace that the angels are singing about is a reconciliation between us and the Father who loves us. Unfortunately, we had rejected God in favor of following our own desires. We “wished away” our family and brokeness has followed. But, the Scriptures tell us that God never stopped pursuing us and He has continued to reveal Himself to us. He loved us so much that He came! Yep…Christmas again!
We have not been left “home alone”. God has not forgotten about us. He has come to show His love for us. He stands ready to forgive…and bring peace. It is what we need. It is what we long for…relationship restored!
Merry Christmas!