Allow God to love you

“Love came down at Christmas” by Christina Rosetti calls to mind childhood memories of our little country church, singing this anthem with the choir, Mom playing the organ and all voices joining joyfully in with harmonies. “Love all lovely, love divine.”

In our Christmas story, love arrives directly in the kind hospitality of Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, who embraces her with grace. Hope comes in the baby in the manger. Streams of blessings arrive with the whole company of the animals, visiting shepherds, singing angels, kneeling kings and gift-bearing Magi. The story quickly changes, however, as the young family must flee to a foreign land to protect the life of their son, leaving behind all family, friends, community networks and supports. We learn that having hope is an act of resistance. In this busy time, when it can be most inconvenient, how do you offer hospitality? How can you make space for unexpected visitors? If you are the unexpected visitor, how can you be a blessing to your hosts?

The times haven’t changed so much for many in our home communities who are suffering. We have newcomers, asylum seekers, those fleeing war, persecution or violence from other countries. We are also experiencing an increasing crisis in affordability for food and housing, access to medical care and steady employment opportunities. The months leading to Christmas can induce a lot of stress and anxiety as we wrestle with the commercial, religious and family expectations of peace, joy and goodwill layered upon us. Here is a different perspective: in many Indigenous cultures, there is the teaching that the legacy of our deeds is left to the seven generations to follow us. It makes a big difference to consider the long view, that the gifts we exchange this year can have a generational impact.

With small acts of courage, I invite you to experiment. Create a counterculture of care by helping someone new to have an opportunity. Listening with the ears of your heart, ask them what they really need this season. If you have the financial capacity to be generous, you might help with a utility bill, a car payment or money towards rent. If you wish to make a tangible gesture towards building relationships, give a night of free babysitting for overwhelmed parents or share a meal with someone who is lonely or visit a fellow parishioner or your neighbour who is in the hospital or nursing home, or meet new people while serving at the food bank. Go further and be bold to ask: why do we need food banks? In my sphere of influence, who can I work with to change current policies that lead to this need?

Consider the babies and young people in your neighbourhood – their futures and the influence they will have in the shape of the world to come. How can you participate in that?

When we choose to be self-emptying in response to the call to be generous, we will find the Christmas miracle: that our own hearts are expanding.

This past summer, while on my way to an Indigenous Network gathering, I visited a new congregation in Albuquerque, where I received the warmest welcome when I was feeling vulnerable. Their values of following and growing in Christ are joyfully practiced in receiving newcomers and giving regular learning workshops. The next day, while guiding me around the community, ministry team member Deacon Judith shared this teaching: Deja que Dios te ame / Allow God to love you.

When love came down at Christmas, it came for all of us. Yet some of us feel unlovable, unworthy, unforgiven. In our shared human brokenness, when grief gets in the way, allow God to love you. Our grief is, in some ways, a sign of our deep capacity to love. When isolation and loneliness loom large, we are not alone. Love is with us. The ancient Greek philosopher Seneca taught, “You should invite some to your table because they are deserving, others because they may come to deserve it.” There is a place for you at the table of our Lord. Will you make an extra place at your dinner table?

The reign of God is growing each time we act as the blessing hands of Christ. New disciples are made one at a time, through connection and shared purpose with those who are already followers of Christ. Somebody did that for you, so your gift of accompanying a person in their faith journey, their healing journey, in the long process of getting clean from addictions or learning to love again, yields an infinite return on investment.

When we allow God to really love us, something new happens, and we have the chance to release some of our rigid expectations of ourselves and of one another and see the Christ in each other.

This Christmas season, be humble or vulnerable enough to open your heart, your wallet, your dreams, as it is right and good to respond in love and generosity, in the name of Jesus.