Halloween has often been at the center of tensions in faith. One the one hand, there are people who think it has a tendency to celebrate evil or at least the darker side. It is after all a holiday we sometimes seem to celebrate scary ghouls and goblins. On the other hand, there are those like myself who simply view as a fun night for kids to dress up with a great deal of imagination. In our home, my daughter has typically been a princess, movie star, or some fluffy animal. But what if Halloween really has a sacred side? What if it was a night of radical hospitality? Someone once said, “One sunrise is all that separates a trick-or-treater from a beggar.” Think of it. A complete stranger dressed in very strange clothes comes to your house and you give them a gift--If that happened on any other night, you‘d call the police! And certainly, no gift or treat. Perhaps it is more holy than we would ever realize. For our doors are more open on Halloween than on any other night as we open our homes to complete strangers.
Last night our church had a wonderful Trunk-or-Treat with people hosting cars with decorated trunks full of treats, games and snacks and even more treats in our fellowship hall. The guests ranged from the scariest of monsters to the cutest of princesses, young and old and everywhere in between. Thanks to a world-renown university in town, we had people from as far away as China and Russian and Brazil and Pakistan. None of us were scared. Well maybe for a moment--There were a few pretty scary ghouls. But then we laughed and welcomed them with open arms. It was a night of wonderful warmth and cheer. The truth was in the end not only were the strangers we welcomed blessed, we also were blessed in return. As I served hot cider, I invited many personally to return on Sunday and wondered aloud how truly wonderful it would be if they did.
I was reminded of Abraham and Sarah who welcomed three strangers into their home and then after sharing a meal with them received the blessing of a confirmation of God’s promise of a son and a people from whom all nations would be blessed. Abraham later even heard God whisper to him to gaze at the night sky and count the stars to give him a renewed vision of the coming blessing.
Where might we open our doors anew to a stranger and feel God’s blessing as individuals and a family of faith? For in so doing we might not only bless a stranger that may well become a friend, we may also discover a hidden blessing of God in the starry night.
(verse of the week)
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
(prayer of the week)
Lord, I am reminded in John’s Gospel that you came into this world which you created and still were often regarded as a stranger, yet those who did welcome you felt touched and transformed by the Light of the World. Help me to be open to the strangers along life’s way that I may share your love and discover new friends and new blessings along life’s way. Amen.
Blessings in Christ—Pastor TJ
(quote of the week)
There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met--William Butler Yeats
Last night our church had a wonderful Trunk-or-Treat with people hosting cars with decorated trunks full of treats, games and snacks and even more treats in our fellowship hall. The guests ranged from the scariest of monsters to the cutest of princesses, young and old and everywhere in between. Thanks to a world-renown university in town, we had people from as far away as China and Russian and Brazil and Pakistan. None of us were scared. Well maybe for a moment--There were a few pretty scary ghouls. But then we laughed and welcomed them with open arms. It was a night of wonderful warmth and cheer. The truth was in the end not only were the strangers we welcomed blessed, we also were blessed in return. As I served hot cider, I invited many personally to return on Sunday and wondered aloud how truly wonderful it would be if they did.
I was reminded of Abraham and Sarah who welcomed three strangers into their home and then after sharing a meal with them received the blessing of a confirmation of God’s promise of a son and a people from whom all nations would be blessed. Abraham later even heard God whisper to him to gaze at the night sky and count the stars to give him a renewed vision of the coming blessing.
Where might we open our doors anew to a stranger and feel God’s blessing as individuals and a family of faith? For in so doing we might not only bless a stranger that may well become a friend, we may also discover a hidden blessing of God in the starry night.
(verse of the week)
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
(prayer of the week)
Lord, I am reminded in John’s Gospel that you came into this world which you created and still were often regarded as a stranger, yet those who did welcome you felt touched and transformed by the Light of the World. Help me to be open to the strangers along life’s way that I may share your love and discover new friends and new blessings along life’s way. Amen.
Blessings in Christ—Pastor TJ
(quote of the week)
There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met--William Butler Yeats
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