Is there really one most important thing to do at the holidays? Inviting someone over, all for heaven's sake, has got be up there near the top.
While working at our local Catholic thrift store one December, I noticed that Doug, one of our "regulars" (who lived in his car) would sing along with our Christmas background music and he was quite good! I think he lingered just so he could sing carols and feel a part of the thrift store family.
One day I said, "Doug, you should join the church choir!"
He wasn't so sure. "I don't know about that –I grew up Methodist"
I said, "That's okay. I go to Grace Church—we actually have a church choir. You should come."
"I don't know, Sue," he said, "I haven't been to church in years."
I said, "Well, if you join the choir, you'll have to take a shower." He said he could do that.
I added: "We have three services so you'd have to get there by 7:30." He wasn't at all sure he could do that.
One afternoon I asked him, "What are you doing for Christmas Eve?"
"Well, I don't really know," he replied. "It all depends on if my brother invites me down to LA or not…"
His voice faded off. It didn't seem promising. I texted my family: "In the interest of the Season, I'm thinking of inviting Doug for Christmas Eve. He lives in his car, a regular customer at the thrift store. Just wanted you to know."
Sometimes it's good to give your family a warning. (They weren't too surprised.) Doug didn't hear from his brother (I wasn't too surprised.)
He wanted to bring cheese and crackers so I bought him a plastic tray at the shop and he filled it up. He didn't make it to church, but he did join our friends and family for Christmas Eve soup and bread and a birthday cake for Jesus. He didn't eat a lot but he stayed the whole time. We were glad we could share some Christmas cheer with a lonely man.
Here's Doug and our daughter, Mary, that first Christmas Eve.
A Big Step
Soon after, Doug took a big step and visited our church on Sunday morning. Then, a bigger risk—he joined the choir!
When the choir sang, Doug made it to all three services. He loved the choir—it became his new family. He was so sad when the choir stopped meeting in the summer.
He told me often when we'd meet up in the church courtyard, "I don't think I ever told you—thanks for inviting me."
"My pleasure," I said. (Actually, he mentioned it everytime we met.)
And it was my pleasure.
It's an honor and a joy to extend God's open arms to someone you may have just met who needs to know how much God loves him or her. God used a simple invitation to help a lonely man find a church family and a way to use his voice for Him.
Doug joined us every Christmas Eve.
We helped Doug get into an apartment. He begun serving the homeless at God's storehouse on Saturday mornings. A man who was lost, was found. A man who needed serving, began serving.
Once when my brother, Hyatt, was visiting, I pointed Doug out to him sitting down the pew. As the offering basket passed, Hyatt took a hundred dollar bill out of his pocket and passed it to him. Doug never stopped talking about that spontaneous act of generosity. Doug came for Easter Brunch at our home and then for a second meal over to the Cleath's for Easter Dinner! And he came for every Christmas Eve with cheese and crackers. He bought a suit for Christmas Eve choir presentations. And halfway through Covid, we were so sad to hear Doug passed away. He's singing with the angels now and no longer needs his oxegen tank strapped to his back. We miss you, Doug.
Keep Open House (And An Open Mind)
Do you see why hosting for heaven's sake can be the most important thing about the holidays? To be more like Jesus is to invite like Jesus.
"Let me tell you why you are here. Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16, The Message
Start by asking God: "Who do you want at our table this Christmas month?" Praying that first helps me keep an open mind and heart. Our actions begin in our mind and heart. Faith in God and how He wants us to live takes courage. So maybe start there, "Lord, give me courage to invite someone over this month."
My pastor said that trusting God means going ahead in obedience while afraid. I don't wait until I'm no longer scared. I just take the next step and then the next. Invite someone even if a little nervous about it.
Oswald Chambers wrote:
"The questions in life are remarkably few and they are all answered by the words—'Come unto Me.'" An invitation from the Ultimate Host.
Jesus says, "Come to Me" so we can come to Him when it feels like a little bit of a risk to invite.
I come to Jesus to give me the strength to invite the stranger: "Would you like to come over? We're normal, well, you know, ordinary, but fun and I think you'd enjoy yourself. We'd love to have you join us. Yes, you can bring your kids and your mother and Aunt Jessie from New York. You don't have to bring anything, but you can if you want."
Invite someone. Happy to pray for you as you do. Email me: sue@welcomeheart.com
The holidays are the perfect time. It doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't have to be homemade. It doesn't have to be planned in advance or pinned on Pinterest. There's always room for more at God's table.
Prayer for a Hospitable Heart
Opening your home and heart begins with prayer. And may include a simple recipe.
Subscribe Here to receive a "Prayer for a Hospitable Heart" and the recipe for "Chicken Sate Skewers" - so delicious! Enjoy--praying, prepping, inviting, and sharing!
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