And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth and Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and the line of David. Luke two, verses three and four. Nazareth was Mary's hometown. Joseph had apparently moved to Nazareth to be with Mary. But when Caesar issued his decree that a tax census be taken of the entire roman world, everyone was to return to his hometown to be counted, which meant that Joseph had to return to his hometown of Bethlehem for the census. Since he and Mary were pledged to be married, Mary was required to go to Bethlehem with Joseph to be counted as part of his family. Of course, while they were there in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus and Christmas as we know it began. Christmas takes us home. The beloved carol says, I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams. And isn't it true Christmas and family and home all go together? Some of our warmest memories and traditions of the Christmas season come from our home and family. For many people, Christmas is the only time during the year when the whole clan can get together. That's not always possible when we live miles apart, but we're together in spirit, even if we're not together physically. Jesus grew up in a family just like most of us did. I'm sure his family had traditions and made memories just like yours and mine have through the years. And like us, Jesus'earthly family no doubt enjoyed getting together on holidays, just like we enjoy getting together at Christmas. Don't you suppose that Jesus looked forward to going home to be with his family, just as we enjoy the thought of going home at Christmas? The Bible tells us that Jesus, in his humanity, was tempted just as we are. Isn't it reasonable to assume that he also had the same kinds of human emotions about his family and memories of home that we do when we think about our loved ones in our home, Christmas takes us home. Older people especially claim that the Christmas season transports them to another time and place and makes them feel young again. The eyes of both young and old sparkle in the season. And it's not simply the lights that are reflected in their eyes. It's the warmth and emotion that go with the season that does the trick. Christmas is magic, magic that began centuries ago when a king's decree brought everyone back home.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to [email protected] have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.