Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

Hearts and Homes

Dear Friend –

A great deal has been said about the connections between our hearts and homes.

Some of the homes in our lives have been difficult for all sorts of reasons, yet it is what a home may be that gives warmth to the very idea of “home” – places of welcome, warmth, encouragement, of forgiveness, laughter and love.

Joseph and Mary left their place in Nazareth for a temporary place in Bethlehem, yet since they were together, they were always home. In a deep and marvelous sense, home is where your heart is.

Whenever and wherever we are with the people we love deeply, we are home.

Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because that was home for those “of the house and lineage of David.” Home is where your heart is and home is where your history is!

This Christmas, whether you are with others or alone, spend some time reflecting on your own history, the people and the homes that have encourages your heart – and especially how the person of Jesus is your truest home.

We know the one who was a babe in a manager is a child no more but is the risen Lord who stands before you in this very moment. Invite him to be at home in your heart:

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray, cast out our sin and enter in; be born is us today.

Christmas Joy to you - E. Stanley Ott​

Copyright 2025 E. Stanley Ott​

*Scripture from ESV

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1. Home is where your heart is. Who are the people in this world with whom you know you are home when you are with them?
2. Home is where your history is. How many places have you lived? What about each place felt like "home" to you and were those homes places of difficulty and or warmth and welcome?
3. Have you opened your heat to Jesus, making your life his home? You may do so right now simply by inviting him in. ^" Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20 ESV

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Photo by Getty Images Unsplash: getty-images-NOMRUv3Y8y4-unsplash

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