Thirty-six. This is the number of times we read in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) that we are commanded to “welcome the stranger” into our midst.
The most often-quoted of these is found in Leviticus 19:34. There we read, “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Volumes have been written about the precise meaning and definition of “stranger” in the biblical context. But we don’t need to be biblical scholars to learn from this verse. Or even from the multitude of verses commanding us toward welcome.
Open Ourselves Up
From these words, we learn to open ourselves up to others, to radically welcome those who are in search of safety, love, kindness, and to share our bounties with them as if we ourselves were in need of those things. For the scripture tells us, there has been a time in our life—and will likely be again—that we were, in fact, literal or figurative strangers ourselves.
The lesson of “welcome the stranger” is far-reaching. It shines an inspiring light on each and every day of the year. But it especially resonates during the holiday season.
A Time of Generosity
The holidays are a time of generosity. Whether we are offering gifts to loved ones or contributing our time or money to charitable causes, we are practicing the value of welcome. When we open our homes to family and friends for holiday meals, we embody this value. We welcome the stranger. And when Christians read the story of baby Jesus at Christmastime, you recall how the young family, having been warmed, sheltered, and gifted by the Magi in Bethlehem, fled for their safety. Ironically, given the biblical history, it was to Egypt. Reflecting on this story connects in the clearest possible terms the relationship between welcoming and spiritual and physical safety.
During his ministry, Jesus himself spoke the words, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” in the Book of Matthew.
So this holiday season, as you reflect on the year that was and look ahead to a new chapter, what will you do to “welcome the stranger,” to treat those you don’t (yet) know or aren’t (yet) connected to, with the love and respect you would pray for if you were in need of some kindness, support, or welcoming?
