Welcoming people into our home has always been part of our Christmas story.  Last night we chatted about a few hors d’oeuvres we might like to prepare and enjoy, as a family, over the holidays. It once again struck me that Christmas 2020 will not carry similar stories, in our lives, as written over the years. We will not welcome others to enjoy hors d'oeuvres with us.

Often, when the Christmas story has been told, we hear that the very pregnant Mary, and Joseph, were not welcomed in the town of Bethlehem.  The ‘Inn keeper’ did not truly welcome them – no room in the Inn – ‘No Vacancy’ – …but they could use the stable. “With no other option available, and in desperation, they accepted. Consequently, Jesus was born that night in a stable; hence the manger.”  Kenneth Bailey has written those words, and he challenges the notion of ’no welcome’.  Having spent most of his life (40 years) living and teaching in the Middle East, he suggests that the idea of not extending a welcome to this young couple would have been foreign to the culture. Understanding the strict code of hospitality of an Eastern home and community, questions are asked. “How could a Jewish town fail to help a young Jewish mother about to give birth? Does any society, known to us, fail to help a young woman about to give birth? Can we imagine this happening in any traditional farming community? Would a farm family anywhere in the world tell a young couple (of their own community) who was seeking help for an imminent birth, ‘There’s the barn. Use it if you like. We can’t be bothered with you!”

Is it possible that we, in the West, have maybe pieced the story together with pictures that may not be completely accurate? Maybe, in Bethlehem, there was a welcome for Joseph who was from the royal line of David. Maybe this welcome was one of gracious beauty for him, and his wife, and unborn child.

We are invited to pause and consider our welcome of the Christ Child. Which telling of the story represents our lives? Have we responded to the gift of Jesus with ‘No room’, or have we welcomed the one promised, from royal lineage, who would reign upon an unending throne, in a kingdom that would never end?  (Luke 1:33).  Our world, and our lives, are in constant need of the one who came to us and for us as Messiah, Saviour, and Emmanuel – God with us. 

We may be limited in our ability to welcome others into our homes, but the welcome of Jesus is one that is consistently available.  I find these words, written by Chris Rice, especially meaningful. They tell the story of Jesus, the holy child, from birth to death. Truly our welcome of Christ begins with his welcome of us expressed through his life, death, and resurrection life.

If you have never listened to these lyrics sung, today may you welcome this song into your home.

Welcome to Our World

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that You don't mind our manger
How I wish we could have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sins and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

Lord Jesus, our stories of welcome are altered this Christmas 2020. We will not welcome, and will not be welcomed, as in other years.  Thank you that you came to our world to welcome us so that we might welcome you. Knowing of our need for someone who would make a new way in life, and in death, we welcome you. Fill our homes and minds with a fresh welcome of you this season.  AMEN

With care and in prayer,