Walking up to the door of the long ranch style building, Michelle was filled with trepidation.  What if her knock was not received?  What if the door was never opened? 

Michelle hid her face in the collar of her coat, shinking to hide away from the very rejection she feared.  Her mind tried to convince her it was a stupid idea and to just walk away, but she held firm.  It was now or never.

She knocked.  The anxiousness grew in her heart. her feet ready to bolt. Her knees slightly bent  with just enough give to turn quickly and go. 

Click.   Warm air gently carressed her bare legs as the door glided open.    Light poored out in the evening and her nose was greeted with delicsious smells of warm cinammon and apples.  This was a pleasant surprise that she had not anticipated, just like she did not expect the robust welcome which filled her ears.  Michelle had never heard a spoken voice with such melody behind the words. “Welcome.”

Was this place for real?  Was she really welcome?  Would they accept her just as she was.  She felt very broken inside and unworthy of the love the was pooring over her with the hospitality of that one word, weclome.

She had heard it before many times, but some how the implication of the word was mis-matched from the reality of the behavior displayed.  More than once “the welcome’ became a trap of unhosptility.  Why could people not understand the depth of hospitality by that one word? 

Michelle knew Mary would understand.  Mary had know what it was to be the receipient of a broken welcome as she was rejected by the inn keepers in Bethlehem.  How many times did she, Michelle, have to hear the word “weclome” and then be rejected?  Would this time be different? 

Digging deeply to push back the fear, with all her energy, Michelle squeekd a brave, “Hello.”  

Reflection:  We often forget that the first act of hospitality to the neighbor is the greeting.  Words like, welcome and hello, are not just acknowlegments, they are the first acts of mutual care and consolation.  Greetings are not just a moment we send to another to make a good visual impression, like a holiday card.  The welcome or the greeting is the entrance into the essence of the relationship.  

When the angel greets Mary, the angel is inviting Mary into the essence of relationship with God.  A few scholars note that simply because God looks upon Mary, she is blessed.  It is this blessing that the angel is communicating to Mary. “Greetings, favored one!  The Lord is with you.”   The greeting is inviting Mary into a deep compassionate relationship that comes from being “with” God, not just as a the mother she will become, but “with” her creator that values her being.

To often we think of this greeting as just an announcement when it is sooooo much more.  It is the affirmation of a committed relationship between God and God’s people that comes from God. 

Let us Pray.  Dear Lord teach us how to honor the greeting, allowing our welcomes be invitations and reflections of the commitment we make to love our our neighbors.  Teach us how to welcome and love on those who have trepidation and have been harmed by false hospitality.  Open our mouths to speak what is good and shut them when the words will cause harm.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen. 

Today’s Challenge.  Read Luke 1:26-38:  Take a picture of the theme – greeting or write a little blurb.  Share on social media using #messiahlutheranpc #AdventPhotos