“Truly, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.” —John 13:20 (NLT)
n
Thinking of my childhood years in Wisconsin, I remember welcoming my grandfather and a young uncle early every Christmas morning. There were seven children in my mother’s family, and my grandfather visited all of them on Christmas morning. He asked to see our tree and our gifts and made appropriate comments on all of them. He and my uncle always had something to eat and drink, so by the time they visited every family they were feeling very happy! This visit was a special part of Christmas Day, and I always remember it as a special time.
n
Other Christmas rituals I remember were associated with either going home or doing special things at home – lighting candles and having a time of family prayer during Advent, decorating a Christmas tree, caroling in the neighborhood, or hosting parties for friends, neighbors and family members. Christmas is about home and being welcomed.
n
Dear God, Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for those in our world who seek to act for peace. Help us to look for ways to be welcoming and to be peacemakers at home, at church and at school. Amen.
n
Dawn Staves