For my clergy friends who are in the midst of the busiest, most stressful time of year: I am holding you in prayer. Persevere. The world is better for your work.
I want to share with you my Christmas Eve story from two years ago. My brother, Ted, had died quite suddenly less than two months before. I traveled with my two young daughters to my parents' house so that we could all be together for Christmas and grieve together. I was five months pregnant. My husband, also an Episcopal Priest, stayed back to do his church services. On Christmas Eve, I took my four-year-old daughter to the family service at my parents' church. It wasn't the church I grew up going to, so I didn't know anyone. My parents didn't come because it was just too hard. So it was just me and my girl, (and baby boy, kicking me from the inside)--strangers in a small crowded church.
We walked in and I immediately started crying. I cry at the Christmas Eve service every year. But this year, I was so overwhelmed by grief--I could barely manage to walk through the door. But as we headed to find seats, someone bent down to my daughter and said "Do you want to be an angel or a shepherd?" She beamed. We hadn't expected for her to be able to participate in a pageant that year. She said angel. The person handed her a white robe and glittery halo. They made this same offer to every child who walked in the door. And when it was time for the pageant, my daughter joined the other angels and marched proudly down the aisle. I wept through the entire service. I couldn't have felt more welcomed. My child was brought into the fold and so was I. The grace of hospitality was so real in this simple offer of angel or shepherd.
I know you are doing hard work this week. I know you're tired. Maybe you're resentful about having to put so much effort in for people who only show up to your church on Christmas Eve. And maybe you're wondering if any of it matters in the long run.
It matters.
Blessings to all of you this week and thank you for the hospitality I know you will show to everyone who walks through your doors on Christmas Eve.
