St. James' Church Bushypark Galway

It’s a good word, welcome, a word of warmth, acceptance, forgiveness, joy, from one another welcoming you as you are.

All are welcome to the birthplace of Jesus, the child not old enough to know but young enough to be amazed. All of us, young and old, with questions about life’s direction and meaning, and hearts wanting acceptance. Parents seeing a familiar role in Mary and Joseph, an old person with memories and fears and all who are trying to put together the joy and sadness of life; of every age and race, all are welcome.

Sinner and saint, weak and strong, wounded and healed, bend low enough to join God’s Christmas party. God came to his people and welcomed them to the stable of Bethlehem, a birthplace too small to welcome the world’s goods, but big enough to welcome everyone’s’ goodness, too small to welcome the world’s goods, but big enough to accept the selfishness of all who came, sending his Son through Mary and with Joseph, telling shepherds who would bring their poverty and others who would bring their wealth, and none but God would know which gifts were most worthy.

The shepherds got it right; they got there first, burdened by no expensive gifts, because they were empty enough in soul to know they had nothing to bring but themselves. For the true welcome welcomes the person, not the gift; the best gift you can give is the gift of yourself. You are welcomed as you are, God’s child of delight each of us heartily wanted and warmly welcomed.

May we be blessed this night/day, a night/day of welcome: may we know we are truly loved as we are, God delighting in each of us as he delighted in Jesus, Son of Mary and Son of God.