As a child, my best memories were road trips to South Dakota to stay with my grandparents and visit aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Most of us at one time or another have visited the home of family or friends, perhaps for a meal and other times for an extended stay. When we do, we experience change. Others have different schedules, different foods and flavors, and a different way of doing things.

During the time Jesus ministered on earth, I wonder how much of His heavenly home He remembered. Imagine His plan and decision to leave the glory of heaven, its sights, sounds, and beauty, to come down to not only visit, but live on a planet He created with people He created who turned sinful, hateful, and rebellious.

Pause, consider, and be awed at His sacrifice. He surrendered Himself to be born a babe to poor parents. He grew up in a town where He may have been considered an illegitimate child. He experienced every temptation known to mankind and confronted Satan face to face. He was wrongly accused, judged, and crucified because of His great love for us.

Paul describes Jesus’ visit this way: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8).

May we give thanks and praise for the Son’s visit, for giving His all so we can eternally “stay” with Him.

And may we be willing to step out of our comfort zone of “home” to visit and share with those who have not made a decision to follow Jesus. It’s the least we can do.