One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the compelling draw to be with family. I believe most people long to be home during the Christmas season.

This seems to be true regardless of religious affiliation, be it Christianity or other, or lack of affiliation. There’s a beautiful spirit during the Christmas season that seems to permeate throughout the world, creating a natural desire to be home.

Bing Crosby sang it best.

I’ll be home for Christmas…

Singing from the perspective of a World War II soldier writing a letter home to his family, Bing’s melancholy tale resonates as he softly sings his wishful dreaming of snow, mistletoe, and presents on the tree. The final stanza makes the connection…

if only in my dreams.

I was once a soldier who was home for Christmas “only in my dreams.”

It was the Christmas I spent in Iraq. On Monday, Christmas Day, I’ll share the story with you. It’s the story of a soldier, a shepherd and his flock of sheep.

ONLY IN MY DREAMS

Being physically away is one reason why we may not be home for Christmas. But sometimes we can physically be home but not really feel at home.

Maybe you feel lonely or depressed. Perhaps financial challenges cause life to seem overwhelming. Health issues can take their toll. Loss of someone we love may seem unbearable.

If being home, or feeling at home, is only in your dreams this Christmas, I hope above all you are blessed to feel a gift of peace.

The birth of a Baby in a manger two millennia ago offers that gift.

It’s a gift of hope, love, joy, and peace.

It’s a gift given freely, to you, to me, and to every person throughout the world.

It is these gifts, I believe, that will help us feel at home.

And feeling at home is the best way to Gain the Red Edge.

Merry Christmas my friend!

Les

Feature Photo by Chris Sowder on Unsplash

Welcome to Gain The Red Edge, an exciting series highlighting best practices to inspire ideas, open up doors of opportunity and windows of creativity, and help you find clarity and focus for your personal and professional passions.