Friday, December 24, 2010

Welcome The Weary Traveler

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child."

-- Luke 2:4-5

It seems like half the country has somewhere to go for Christmas. They're going cross-country to their parents' home, or across town to their sibling's house, or to the mountains for a family holiday. Some are even heading to their church for a community dinner.

I always enjoyed being the person who stayed home and cooked. I loved to gather people together, mostly orphans by circumstances and location, and celebrate. An old friend sent a note recently, reminiscing about the Christmas parties I used to host. Those were good times. Now, I'm just a guest who shows up and, maybe, does the dishes or takes out the garbage. Life changes.

I love the group that gathers at church. It is open to anyone. The church provides meat and beverages and everyone else brings a covered dish to share. It's a church family gathering. Many people don't want any part of such a gathering. They only have select family members with maybe a few close friends thrown into the mix. Christmas is a day for closeness and love. No strangers need apply.

I wonder if we, too, would have turned away Mary and Joseph and the baby who would be born this night. Would we have said no and wished them well, rationalizing that we didn't have room or enough food for strangers? Just like we close the doors, and our hearts, to those who are alone in our midst.

Close your eyes and imagine the scene. Mary, deep in labor, with Joseph attending her. The stable filled with animals who kept watch over the virgin and her fiance as the baby's birth neared. Do you smell the manure and sweat and hay? Gather the dirty clothes and prepare for the birth of our King.

On the Christmas Eve, be mindful of the weary traveler. Open the door and welcome the stranger. Let your heart reach out to the widow down the street and the singles from work. Christmas isn't about exclusion. On the contrary, Jesus came so that everyone could be saved. So take a chance. Smile. Offer a kind word. Show people that Jesus still lives.