Devotional 12-7-13

Romans 15:4-13

I am emphasizing verse 7:  “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

If there is ever a time when people think about what it means to be welcoming, it is surely during the Advent and Christmas holidays.  There are dinners to attend. Some are job related and we enjoy spending time with coworkers in more relaxed settings than the ordinary place we meet.  Others are family gatherings which have their own sets of joys and challenges. There are informal get-togethers with friends. There will be many activities at church. We decorate our homes and church. We shop for just the right present for loved ones.

 We cram so much into just a few short weeks!  We enjoy it, for the most part, or at least most people seem to, but does the frenetic activity really celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ, or prepare us for his return at the end of time: both reasons why we celebrate Advent and Christmas every year? Or does it stress us out and become more items on an overcrowded “to do” list? 

What if we asked God to help us welcome the Advent and Christmas seasons this year? Is it possible that we might feel less stress and more joy? To me, “welcome” means acceptance and helping people feel at home.  That way, the burden of enjoying the holidays is on me, not anyone else. Other people don’t have to do anything. But I do. When, on January 7, 2014, I look back on the time between Thanksgiving and Epiphany will I realize that to quite some extent, how I experienced this time has been up to me?

I’ve had some major health challenges this year and they have certainly helped me sift through what is important and what isn’t. Perfectly cooked meals? No. Beautiful decorations? Nice, but not necessary. Presents? Do we really need more things cluttering up our lives?

 I want to create an atmosphere in my home and churches where people feel comfortable being themselves. This may mean encouraging church members to follow up with visitors in meaningful ways. It might mean being courteous to the people who kind of drop in for worship or a meal. It means being welcoming to the “regulars” who don’t want to do any of those things. It even means being accepting to family members who are on the opposite end of the spiritual and political spectrum than I am.

If you think about it, one of the things God did at Christmas by sending His Son for our redemption, was to welcome us. In spite of our shortcomings, in spite of the poor choices we make, in spite of the anger and resentment towards other people that we all feel from time to time, we are welcomed into God’s household. The Scripture that I included with this devotional says to welcome all for the glory of God. Only for the glory of God. That’s how and why God has welcomed us, for His glory.  I pray that unconditional love can be an inspiration for us to welcome this sacred, and often challenging, time of year.

Rev. Dorcas Linger ConradThe United Methodist Churches of the West Liberty Charge, 

West Liberty, W. Va.