One of my favorite holiday movies is “Home Alone” with Macauley Culkin as seven-year-old Kevin, the
youngest in his family. The plot involves the family going to Paris for Christmas. Somehow, Kevin
gets left at home alone. In all the rush, Kevin’s family and his aunt and uncle’s family all leave
together but no
one notices that Kevin isn’t with them—at least not until the plane is almost ready to land in
Paris. Always treated like a nuisance by his siblings, Kevin is delighted, when he finds himself at
home all
alone. Earlier in the film, Kevin is heard to say, “THIS HOUSE IS SO FULL OF PEOPLE, IT
MAKES ME SICK! WHEN I GROW UP, I’M LIVING ALONE!” Now he has the house all to
himself. The rest of the movie is about Kevin foiling the plot of two house thieves, played by Joe
Pesci and Daniel Stern, and learning the value of family. One of the most touching scenes is when
he visits a department store Santa, whom he knows is fake, but tells this Santa to convey a message
to the real Santa: “WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL HIM THAT INSTEAD OF PRESENTS THIS YEAR, I JUST WANT MY
FAMILY BACK.” The rest of the film is
about the family’s return and Kevin learning how much family means, even when you are the object of
big brother and sisters’ taunts.
Family, friendships, relationships, all are part of what we were created to enjoy. The fact that we
were created in the image of God, and there is perfect communion within the Trinity, should remind
us that family is worth the price we sometimes pay. C.S. Lewis, long ago, reminded us that, “The
only place in all of the universe that we can be free of the
inconveniences of love is hell.”
Heaven will be all about perfect communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
But for now, we are given a taste of the fellowship to come. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “May
the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be
with you all” (2 Cor 13:14). And the core of the gospel is about God making it possible for us to
be reconciled to Him so that we might fellowship with Him. “We proclaim to you what we have seen
and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and
with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 4:3).
As we enter another Advent Season, let us pursue the fellowship of God’s family. We hope that our
communion here at LCC will provide a certain sense of family for all. But it is the communion with
God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit that is our most
cherished company this Christmas. God has made it clear: “I will never leave you nor forsake you”
(Josh 1:5). And be assured—He won’t leave you at HOME ALONE.
