Taryn Strauss

Director of Religious Education

REflections

January 2010

The winter holidays offer the perfect opportunity to practice radical hospitality. To me, radical hospitality means inviting friends over to bake cookies, even if the house isn’t perfectly neat and clean. It means visiting babies, or older folks and checking in to see how they’re feeling. In these times, practicing radical hospitality could mean inviting someone over to dinner who you may not consider in your close circle of friends. Maybe this is someone who has had a difficult year. If you know someone who’s experienced a job loss, divorce, illness or other difficulty, reach out. Amidst Christmas shopping, cooking, preparing for family or travel, this is not an easy task.

When I was younger, my parents would invite people from the church who we knew had been struggling, and although at first it was awkward to have someone new in our home, eventually the evening became comfortable and right. My parents’ decision to invite outsiders to our table taught me how to be authentically, radically welcoming beyond what feels safe and easy. While you may be participating in the angel tree or other seasonal charities, remember there are people in our midst who are enduring difficult or lonely times. This is the time to set another place at the table, to share food, stories and laughter, and to teach our children how to practice radical hospitality. As Unitarian Universalists, we share our faith journey with one another. Why should that not translate into opening our homes for each other, and sharing the stories of our lives? Let the loving light of community shine brighter than any candle or star atop a Christmas tree. ’Tis the season for giving, and the greatest gift we have to give is ourselves. Blessed Be.