(Photo by Selma Komisky)

Editor’s Note: December, 2020; January 2021

By Sarah Komisky

Home for the holidays. Some things and people that come to mind are fireplaces, fuzzy socks, greetings and warm hugs from those I love, cinnamon, twinkling lights, and of course Kenny Loggins (yes, I had to throw in “Celebrate Me Home” – that’s a given). But in all seriousness, most of our experience with “home” (although not exclusive to all), is coziness and comfort. While we all have dysfunction as humans, home is still the place we can belong, the place we are known and gather in celebration of the most wonderful time of the year. Except, this year hasn’t been so wonderful, and home has become our dwelling place for pretty much 27/7. Can you say cabin fever? Additionally, the family members, kids, or spouse that we couldn’t wait to spend the holidays with are now the people that we wish we could have a little time and space away from. And, that once precious off-time, away from the desk, dressed in our PJs and streaming movies at home, is now something we complain of being bored of. Tragically, this place we call home has become synonymous with isolation, an environment breeding anxiety and despair. All in all, “home for the holidays” has taken on a quite different meaning.

Aside from 2020, many of us have looked at this season with a sense of longing. Especially as kids. It’s a time filled with wonder. It’s the place where Santa visits us. Even us adults can’t wait for snowfall, the smell of pine, or the rich softness a winter throw brings when your curled up on the couch. We look forward to these things. Traditions. Winter weather. Music. Decorations. Gatherings. Memories. Love. Warmth. Home. Something innate in us longs to come back to that place. This year proves that.

While quarantine has brought out the sadness of separation in a time that normally means togetherness, the changes we have to endure is enough to want to make the holidays do a disappearing act. In the fact, it’s holly jolliness tends to rub as a hurtful reminder of our past instead of our present.

So how do we recover the meaning and sense of “home” this holiday season?

Well, there is no singular definition. However, I do think all of us, on some level, can go back home in some way. Whether it’s figurative or literal, we can recover the meaning of “home for the holidays” in the way we choose to make it. Remember, Jesus Himself was born into a world of darkness, in a small, simple stable with a handful of guests to celebrate His birth. His home was stripped of all the hoopla royalty deserved, yet the Christmas story reminds us of what matters most. Instead of looking at this year as a downer, let’s embrace it for the gift it is. It’s brought us back to simplicity, better priorities, a deeper sense of value for those you love, greater appreciation for the season, and a renewed time to be still and regain peace in our inner home, our souls.

Therefore, we will celebrate. If we are home, we will make the most of it. And, here at MM, we’re gifting you with some encouragement to do just that in our new issue, “Home for The Holidays.” This December and January, we will offer how-to’s , ways to give back, a new music playlist,  Christmas films, original advent Bible readings, and hope-filled conversations on real-life issues you may be wrestling with this season. To join us, we’ve invited music artists Manic Drive and Colton Dixon to share their home for the holidays experience. In turn, we hope this issue can be your holiday care kit to help you enjoy holidays at home this 2020.

Overall, despite the challenges at hand, we pray your observation of Christmas and New Years at home will be restored to one that is peaceful, hopeful, and positive. May your home for the holiday experience find you with a renewed sense of joy, intimacy, relaxation, as well as appreciation for your loved ones with new memories and good times that will last through the new year. May you cherish in it’s simplicity, Christmas, above all, focusing and honoring the birth of a Savior, Jesus.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Sarah