We hear much about “coming home” for the holidays. My Christmas greetings and prayers for you and yours are contained in these words from Fr. Henri Nouwen:

Coming Home

There are two realities to which you must cling. First, God has promised that you will receive the love you have been searching for.

And second, God is faithful to that promise. So stop wandering around. Instead, come home and trust that God will bring you what you need. Your whole life you have been running about, seeking the love you desire. Now it is time to end that search. Trust that God will give you that all-fulfilling love and will give it in a human way.

Before you die, God will offer you the deepest satisfaction you can desire. Just stop running and start trusting and receiving.

Home is where you are truly safe. It is where you can receive what you desire. You need human hands to hold you there so that you don’t run away again. But when you come home and stay home, you will find the love that will bring rest to your heart.

Many of us have found our way home. Many of us continue to search. The Faith Community of St. Thomas More is here for all of us.

As Pastor, I pledge that I will do all that I can to ensure that our Parish will be a place and a people where you are truly safe; where you can share your story in trust; where, with other seekers, you will find human hands to hold you so that you don’t run away again.

For those of us who are here every week, we have found rest for our hearts. This Christmas, we give thanks to God!

For those of us who are guests this weekend and do not have a faith community, and you are looking for a home, please come back again and again!

If you feel the call to belong to a Faith Community, but are not sure how to go about it, feel free to give me a call or set up an appointment. I would welcome an opportunity to chat with you.

Come home for Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!