I'll be home for Christmas

Due to the stress and high demands of my job during the holidays, I won't be going to my parent's home for Christmas. This makes me sad. I couldn't listen to "I'll be Home for Christmas" for a while because in my mind, I wasn't going to be home.

I saw this a while back:

As a hopeless romantic, I want to embrace this. However, I struggle to accept this concept, especially around the holidays. I realize that marriage means leaving your parents (Genesis 2:24), but I struggle being away from Christmas for the holidays because I such fond memories of being with my family. Being married means a lot of adjustments and taking on new traditions.

I haven't made it home to California at all this year (yay for being poor newlyweds!). This would have also been my last chance to have Christmas in a house that I've know as home for 10 years. This would have also be the last chance I have to celebrate Christmas with my parents for 3 years.

As I sit here writing this post, I'm listening to Christmas and looked at my creche. Technically, Mary spent her first Christmas away from home as well. She too was away from her family and her conditions were far from comfortable.

I'm sure in a few years, these traditions will become my traditions. Until then, I'll keep adjusting and dreaming of being home for Christmas.