By Diana Dworin
Beyond entertaining D
Think bigger by practicing hospitality
ecorate the table. Prepare a gourmet meal. Throw a fabulous celebration. Our culture tells us that these are some of the ways to show hospitality to oth- ers, especially during the holiday season.
But if we DESIGNPICS
approach hospital- ity from a more spiritual perspec- tive, our priorities take a radical shift. Rather than just decorating our homes, we instead
prepare a place in our hearts to be present and engaged with those around us. It takes the focus away from our holiday party plans and places it on welcoming the Christ we see in others. Within families, preparing for the holidays can be a stress-
filled time, especially if our plans leave us drained or dis- tracted. It doesn’t have to be that way, said Don Reinard, who leads the hostel ministry at First Trinity Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C. “Welcoming other people can be the most energizing thing you do,” said Reinard, who keeps the church’s doors open year-round to provide a safe and comfortable place for groups to stay while they’re visiting the nation’s capital (
www.firsttrinitydc.org/#/hostel). “Life really is all about getting to know other people, having them get to know you, and seeing each other as neighbors.” Families can weave the practice of hospitality more fully
into their daily lives when they: • Think bigger. Hospitality is more complex than just a meal and blanket for our guests. It also includes a smile and a wel- come for those who are new to us. Hospitality is an invitation from the Spirit to recognize the holiness of others—to see the stranger as a person loved by God and made in God’s image.
• Support hospitality efforts within the commu- nity. Each day, ELCA congregations across the coun- try work in a variety of ways to extend Christ’s wel- come to others. Some activities to consider include assisting with a refugee resettlement program in your area or hosting foreign exchange students.
Pass the faith
Now what? Table prayer
DESIGNPICS
Q: Thanksgiving seems to be a perfect time to have a special prayer offered at the table. What are some ideas for having our children lead grace during this day of thanks? A: Don’t put pressure on the kids to feel as if they need to “perform” a special Thanksgiving Day prayer. Instead, let them say what they feel in their hearts. After all, a vital aspect of prayer is simply allowing the Spirit to open our attention to Christ’s presence in and around us. The exact words we speak aren’t as important. One idea to try is a “popcorn prayer,” which lets family mem- bers individually speak up and offer thanks for the blessings in their lives. It could be as simple as starting: “We give God thanks for …” and then seeing where this somewhat spontaneous prayer takes your family. Share your opinion or story at
www.thelutheran.org. Send questions to diana@ passthefaith. org.
Lutheran mom
Dworin, 41, is a mother of three and a former parenting magazine editor.
November 2011 65
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