I've always had a home in the house of God. Birthed into the Kingdom at Immanuel Lutheran, Kingston, New York., confirmed by Grace Lutheran, River Forest, called as a teaching minister to Trinity Lutheran, Toledo. When I suffered the death of divorce it was the seminary community in Columbus, Ohio that grieved with me. That same community celebrated with Lisa and I the beginning of our life together. This community witnessed and celebrated with us the rite of ordination and the second birth of our son, Joshua. All along life's journey, communities of faith have encouraged me, sustained me, challenged me, and celebrated with me. And, hopefully, at the end of this journey, a community of faith will gather to give thanks for my life and comfort one another in their sorrow.
      One day Owl's house blew down in a great storm, leaving Owl and Pooh and Piglet trapped inside. Even though Piglet is a very small animal and as such, easily frightened he managed to climb out the window and save the day.  That made Piglet feel quite proud, not only because of what he did, but because Pooh, who was very impressed, wrote a song - with seven verses - all about Piglet! Now the only problem is Owl needs a new house and unfortunately for Piglet, Eeyore has found one.
"There!" said Eeyore proudly, stopping them outside of Piglet's house. "And there's a name on it and everything!"
"Oh!" said Christopher Robin, wondering whether to laugh or what.
"Just the house for Owl. Don't you think so, little Piglet?"
And then Piglet did a Noble Thing, and he did it in a sort of dream, while he was thinking of all the wonderful words Pooh had hummed about him.
"Yes, it's just the house for Owl," he said grandly. "And I hope he'll be very happy in it." And then he gulped twice, because he had been very happy in it himself.
"What do you think, Christopher Robin?" asked Eeyore, a little anxiously, feeling that something wasn't quite right.
"Well, It's a very nice house, and if your own house is blown down, you must go somewhere else, mustn't you Piglet? What would you do if your house was blown down?"
Before Piglet could think, Pooh answered for him.
"He'd come and live with me," said Pooh, "wouldn't you, Piglet?"
Piglet squeezed Pooh's paw.
"Thank you, Pooh," he said, "I should love to."
(Winnie-the-Pooh  by A.A. Milne; E.P. Duton & Co. New York; 1950)
      "Thank you, Pooh I should love to." The giver becomes the gifted. This life of faith that we share is a connected life - God with us and us with each other - me with you and you with me and all of us with and for a world that is looking for a home, a place to be safe and warm and secure, a place to be accepted, not because of who you are or what you do or who you know but because of who knows you. In the kingdom of God all are welcome because God says so. 
      That is why this community of faith strives to be a home; a home where the lost can be found, a home where the broken find healing, a home where the hungry are fed, where the fearful find courage, where the sad find joy, where the lonely find fellowship - a home.  As the body of Christ we are connected with every other child of God throughout the entire world, not only those living, but those who have gone on before and those who will be, a vast multitude brought together for the single purpose of sharing and living and rejoicing in the marvelous grace of God.
      May our giving be like Piglet's - who did a noble thing,  as if in a dream,  while he thought of all the wonderful words Pooh had hummed about him. Think about all the wonderful things God has called you -  daughter, son, heirs of grace, beloved children, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart - think of all that God has done for you - all that God has given you, all the ways that God has sustained and encouraged and strengthened and loved you and then do a noble thing and with your time and your talents and your treasures keep this house open to house the homeless. Keep this house open to feed the hungry on the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Keep this house open to proclaim a word of hope for the weary. Give the gift of this house - where you have been fed and nourished and sheltered. This Christmas,  give a friend a home. Give them this house.

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