Yes, Welcome!
It's not just the word I want to say to you who have come to the new Electric Circuit Rider. It's also part of the spiritual discipline of Advent.
When Jesus came into the world, "there was no room in the house" so his first crib was a animal feed box. We make room for Jesus by making room for each other.
I used to visit a man who only had one chair in his apartment - and he sat in it while I stood. I was his only visitor and I have to admit that I did not find the time to visit often nor to stay very long. He talked and I listened. Mostly he complained that he was lonely!
I knew another man who lived alone in a very similar small apartment, but he had two chairs and when I came to visit him he always graciously met me at the door and offered me a chair. He asked how I was and wanted to hear about my family. I visited him often and so did other people in the church.
Picture your heart. Does it have one chair or two? I know there are many days when I only have one chair and I'm sitting in it. I'm so wrapped up in myself and my issues that I don't give anyone else room to be themselves in my presence.
On the Second Sunday in Advent this year we read: "Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ as welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7)
In other words, pull up a chair!
