Bethlehem Hospitality

Homily for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Year A
Christmas is a many-faceted celebration. But if there is only one word that can sum up the best of everything that is Christmas: hospitality. Throughout the world, these days of Christmas are a time when people gather, when homes are opened to family, neighbors, and co-workers. Employers, clubs, and really any kind of group of friends have invited each other to Christmas parties. Religious and civic groups reach out to try to provide a meaningful Christmas for those who can’t afford to buy anything extra. And churches everywhere welcome worshippers to celebrate Christ’s birth. By its very nature, Christmas brings people together and inspires a warmth and welcome more than any other time of year. But it hasn’t always been that way. On the first Christmas, so long ago, the city of Christ’s birth was closed off to the people who needed hospitality the most, man and his wife, who was heavy with child.

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

If only the people of Bethlehem had known what was happening that night. If only they could see the miracle that was wandering through their dark streets. Of course, there were some who did – like the shepherds who heard the message of the angels and went to welcome this new-born king. This baby was not completely without welcome. Some days later, visitors arrived from the east, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each one did their part to greet this holy child, to make our God feel at home in this world he had created.

O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth;
For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

The true blessing of Christmas is that our celebration today is not just about an event of the past. The true blessing of Christmas is that Christ is waiting to be born among us, right here, right now; and we desperately need his presence. When our love seems to fall short, we need to feel the unconditional love that only God can give us. When our courage or patience wear thin, we need to be strengthened by the God who made us. When we seem lost or abandoned, there is only one person who can put us on the right path. The true blessing of Christmas is that God lives with us here on earth each day. And in this season of hospitality, there is only one person we all must be prepared to welcome:

O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell:
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Come, Lord Jesus. We are ready to welcome you.