Coming Home for Christmas: Finding Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

The holiday season is filled with memories—some warm and nostalgic, others challenging and reflective. For many of us, Christmas carries a theme of “coming home,” a time to reconnect with loved ones, traditions, and ultimately, with God. At Calvary Orlando, this theme inspired a deeper exploration of what it truly means to come home this Christmas.

A Place of Belonging
Coming home signifies more than just a physical location; it’s a place where you belong. As children of God, our ultimate home is in Christ. He welcomes us not as visitors but as family members with full access to His presence, love, and peace. Just as a child feels at ease in their parents’ home, we are invited to step boldly into our heavenly home. Romans 8:15 reminds us, “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”

In this home, we’re not strangers or guests. We belong. And this sense of belonging forms the foundation for healing, peace, and joy.

Rediscovering Identity
The world often tries to define us through circumstances, achievements, or failures. But our true identity is found in Christ. Coming home means understanding that we are not defined by our past, our mistakes, or even our successes. We are first and foremost children of God, raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:4-6).
In our spiritual home, we’re reminded of who we truly are. This identity is unshaken by the storms of life or the lies of the enemy. When the enemy whispers, “Did God really say…?” we can stand firm, knowing that our worth and purpose are rooted in the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

Hope: An Anchor for Our Souls
The first Advent candle symbolizes hope—hope grounded not in fleeting circumstances but in God’s promises. Hebrews 6:18-19 declares, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” This hope steadies us when life feels uncertain, reminding us that God’s Word never fails.
Coming home to Christ means living in a state of hope. It’s a hope that empowers us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that God is faithful to His promises.

Peace That Transcends Understanding
The second Advent candle represents peace—a peace that goes beyond human understanding. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to bring every worry to God in prayer, and in return, His peace guards our hearts and minds.
This peace isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s the kind of peace that allows us to remain calm in the midst of life’s storms, knowing that God is in control. Living in our spiritual home means living in this peace every day, not just during the Christmas season.

Joy: Strength for the Journey
The third Advent candle is joy. Nehemiah 8:10 proclaims, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” This joy isn’t tied to earthly achievements or fleeting happiness; it’s rooted in the knowledge of who God is and His incredible love for us.
Even in trials, we can rejoice because our joy is anchored in Christ. Coming home means living in this joy, allowing it to sustain and strengthen us through every season.

Love That Never Fails
The final Advent candle is love—a reflection of the immeasurable love God showed by sending His Son. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
In our spiritual home, we are enveloped by this love. It’s a love that casts out fear, speaks truth, and calls us to reflect His love to others. As Romans 8:38-39 assures us, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Living in the Home God Provides
This Christmas, God is inviting us not just to visit but to live in His home—a home filled with belonging, identity, hope, peace, joy, and love. It’s a place where we are fully known and fully loved, where our lives are built on the solid foundation of Christ.

Coming home isn’t just a theme; it’s a call to step into the fullness of who God created us to be. Whether you need healing, clarity, or simply a reminder of God’s unchanging love, the door is open. Come home to Christ this Christmas and live from the abundance of His presence.