Twelfth Day of Christmas: Come Unto Me
Today is the last day of Christmas. I hope you have enjoyed this series and that it has helped you celebrate the Christmas season. My last guest-poster is my mother, about whom I have told many stories. I will conclude this series with an Epiphany post tomorrow.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 111:28-30)
My friend Sharon and I went to Florida to visit an old friend. Sharon’s boss was a member of an exclusive tennis club, so she asked her boss to call the club and reserve a court for us. When we arrived we were told the dress code required all white clothing. We went out and purchased white tops and white shorts. When we returned we were told that the club member had to be present before we would be permitted to play. He couldn’t be there, so we couldn’t play.
Excluding people is built into our way of life. Sports teams reject those not skilled enough to “make the team,” while those who are skilled enough preen themselves on their success. Colleges reject applicants. Cliques reject anyone they choose. All of us participate in this process by evaluating whether others dress acceptably, talk correctly, listen to the right music, and so forth. We have many unspoken standards by which we include or exclude others: having or lacking money, looks, social connections. The list goes on.
The good news at Christmas is that all can “come and behold him, Christ the Savior.” Those of low status, like the shepherds, are welcome, and those of high status, like the wise men, are welcome too.
During his ministry Jesus made explicit what is only implicit in the Christmas story. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”(Matthew 11:28).
Strange as it may seem, the welcome God sent out by his agents at the first Christmas is still being sent out by God’s agents today. Everyone and anyone is welcome to worship. The welcome mat is out.
Jenni D
Me first? Well, then… LOVE it. Thanks for a great start to the day!
Beck
Wonderful post, although the tennis club story made me quite upset – the snobs. I can certainly see where you got your writing talent from.
I’m boggling a bit at the idea of MY mother guest posting, which is actually an incredibly fun idea, but WHAT would my mom write? Oh, I do not know.
Sue
Lovely thoughts.
Sherri E.
Interesting post in juxtaposition with the “Desire of Nations” one. The gospel is deeply and radically inclusive but somehow it gets interpreted as exclusionary. Probably because we want to respond to the invitation on our own terms, without change– without allowing the peace of Christ to reign in our hearts.
Oh, and I’m with Beck– that tennis story makes me so darn mad.