This story is like a parable – it illustrates common everyday images and characters and weaves a story with a surprising ending. It is a story of unselfish love which is like the gifts given by the three wise men, called the Magi, who were led by a star to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem this day resembles heaven: hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices and enfolding within itself the Sun of Righteousness. And ask not how; for where God wills, the order of nature yields.

Every year as the Christmas season comes around, we hear a great deal about the real meaning of Christmas. But it is not always clear just what that real meaning is.

Advent is the season in which the Christian people focus on the return of the Messiah and the day he comes again in glory. This is the day when the “age to come” will finally be here and the saints will enter into heavenly life: “We await our blessed hope, the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

We have no permanent citizenship in this world. Though I hold an official passport  that declares me a citizen of the United States, the reality is that, as a Christian, my citizenship is in heaven.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about “home” – the place for which we long, and believe that if we reach, we’ll finally be satisfied – our heart’s destination.

Never have I entered on Advent so vitally and intensely alert as I am now.