Romans 15:7-13 (ESV)
Sitting down to eat with his family in a local restaurant, the 6-year-old boy asked to say grace. He prayed: God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all! Amen!
Along with laughter from nearby customers, a woman was heard to say: That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never! Hearing this, the boy began to cry. As his Dad held him and reassured him, a grandfatherly man approached the table. He winked at the boy and said, I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer. “Really?” the boy asked. “Cross my heart,” said the man. Then in a theatrical whisper directed toward the woman, he added: Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.
Naturally, mom bought ice cream. The boy stared at his for a moment and then did something his parents will remember the rest of their lives. He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her: Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.
Surely, we would never want anyone in church to sound like that woman – it would be most unwelcoming and joyless. Rather, joyful is the sound of a child singing God’s praise. It is a warm and welcoming sound to the ears of worshippers, especially at Christmastime.
I remember a little girl singing with gusto, I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart…. She would sing loudly, then softly: I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy.… Then, distracted by something, she stopped. Suddenly, the next line came bursting forth: DOWN IN MY HEART! I laughed. Staff later commented on how welcoming it felt to hear singing and laughing in church. Good for the soul.
Our text this morning begins with the command to welcome one another. It comes after the apostle makes the case that we are not called into the church to please ourselves, but to build up our neighbor. He appeals to Christ and scripture, and prays that God help us live and work and worship together according to Christ. Welcome is what we are to do in response to the biblical truths.
Welcome is rich and dynamic and Spirit-inspired. It goes beyond being friendly. Friendly says: Hi, how are you? Welcome says: Come join me! It believes that God positions people in our lives. It bids us to invite someone into our group, our circle of friends, or our ministry.
Welcome challenges us to focus on others more than ourselves. The church is called to glorify and please God. Pleasing ourselves focuses on preferences: Do I like the message? The music? Is this meeting my needs? Are they supporting my favorite cause? That’s what’s wrong with…well, I never… But welcome points to – and testifies to – our mission to build upon what is good for souls according to God’s truth and promise. Welcome means we accept one another – despite our flaws, idiosyncrasies, and shortcomings – as Christ has accepted us, in order to bring praise to God.
Welcome has a look: people gathered in worship singing and praying; together, smiling and laughing… and a smell: food cooking in the kitchen; busy hands filling bags with cookies and goodies; Welcome has a good purpose – it is the prayer and praise from the heart. It is the dessert given not for ourselves, but to please our neighbor – especially in a weak moment.
Yes, welcome has a sound: coffee pouring and pleasant conversation; voices joined as one, singing melody and harmony; good reports shared and hope declared. Welcome is the song of a child finding joy in singing to God’s name with words of prayer and praise, joined by all God’s children of every age. It tugs at your heart and fills you to overflowing with hope given by the power of the Holy Spirit, with joy and peace in believing.
Doesn’t that just make you want to sing with that little girl? I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart…DOWN IN MY HEART!
Now add a verse based on our Scripture, making it an Advent song, like this: I’ve got the hope and joy and peace of Jesus down in my heart…down in my heart to stay.
May this be our prayer, not just for Christmas, but always.