Isaiah 56:7
For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples
Advent and Christmas are two of the most hopeful times of the church year. If you've been to a Christmas vigil service or the children's service, you know it's packed. The sanctuary is adorned with festive colors and plants. A nativity scene is across the room. The trees glow with lights and maybe extra candles are lit. The church is jammed with people of all shapes sizes and colors, many of which you may have never seen before at the church. Our pastor welcomes everyone by saying, "I want to welcome all the guests to the service, those visiting out of town including all of the in-laws and outlaws!" Everyone chuckles and has a smile. Yet how welcoming are we? For a time filled with joy, we have to get to OUR seat quickly or some stranger might take it. You might think, "how dare them! I'm here every week." Or some might look around the church and think, "I can't believe they wore THAT to church." Or, "they need to take that baby out of here…this is a place of worship!"
Today's reading from Isaiah is preparing is for a new dawn, that things are going to change…that the House of the Lord is going to be a house of prayer for ALL people. The church is not for a select few, it's for sinners like you and me. No matter how they're dressed, how often they attend , how loud their baby cries, or where there from, the church is opened to all. Make sure this Christmas you welcome the stranger or the visitor to your parish this Christmas and Advent. While you're at it, invite a neighbor who doesn't usually go to church. After all, it is a house of prayer for ALL.
