Meeting Jesus at Christmas...
Today our local community spent the afternoon serving Christmas dinner to those less fortunate in the city. The great thing about it was that it brought people from all different backgrounds together. The volunteers took breaks to eat with the local people and their families. A youth band played carols and gospel songs for us, and children of all ages enjoyed creating crafts or running and playing with friends.
I enjoyed this chance to serve, to meet people outside of my usual circle. About 1300 people were served today, most of them poor and hungry. I couldn't help but think of how fortunate I have been in life, to have grown up in the circumstances which gave me all I needed.
Jesus was one of the poor, the homeless, born into poverty and very precarious circumstances.
He wasn't welcomed by his own people, nor the ones who were well established, rich, and powerful.
But the poor welcomed him, precisely because they weren't sated, they weren't full already. Their hands were empty, they were hungry, so their hearts had room for Christ. "Blessed are the poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs."
Lord, open my heart. Grant me a love that welcomes you, that goes out to meet you in the poor.
