Welcoming Strangers
1 December 2014
There is a story about one of those great colleges in Oxford, or Cambridge, or somewhere; one of those colleges founded by and supported by the Church, as many are... I do not know if it is a true story - I hope and believe that it is.
It was Christmas time, and the college had got together in the Great Hall to celebrate the festive season with a sumptuous banquet. There was silver and porcelain and fine linen napkins everywhere. There was the best cutlery, the finest wine and the richest, most delicious food one could hope for. The college's historic crystal glasses glinted gold in the flickering light of a thousand candles in that oak-panelled room.
The celebration was in full swing when, all at once, one of the college Porters, in his splendid bowler hat, properly pressed suit, and waistcoat entered the Hall. He walked deferentially down past all the tables, full of students and tutors and honoured guests, and made his way to the Top Table. The principal of the college, The Dean, noticed him and invited him to approach, which the Porter duly did; leaning forward so that he may whisper discretely into the Dean's ear.
"Sir," said the Porter, "there is a gentleman at the college gate, asking to be let in. I have told him that the college is closed and that, regrettably we are unable to receive visitors at this time. But he insists, and will not go away."
"What kind of visitor?" asked the Dean.
"Sir, I regret to say, he has the form and the appearance of a Tramp."
"A Tramp?"
"A Wayfarer, a homeless person, sir."
The Dean set down the knife and fork with which he had been enjoying his Christmas turkey."Have the fellow brought in," he said.
"Very good sir," and the Porter left to do as he was instructed.
The Dean called across one of the waiting-staff. "Would you be so kind as to lay another place, please?" he said. "Beside me, at my right hand."
The Tramp was brought in, a place was laid for him at the Top Table right there, beside the Dean. The poor fellow was given everything that the rest of the college was at that moment enjoying. Everything: wine, and meat and roast potatoes and vegetables and stuffing and gravy.
At the end of the meal the Dean rose to make a toast; to the college, to Christmas and to honoured guests, of whom he made sure he included the fellow sat beside him at his right hand at Top Table. "For," he said, "what greater message of Christmas is there than to give thanks for Our Saviour, by sharing God's goodness and abundance with others, whoever they are?"
And the whole gathering rose as one, raised their glasses to toast the stranger - their most honoured guest, their uninvited visitor - and cried "Amen!"
The Stranger then rose to his feet. A silence descended. The Dean sat down. Everyone sat down.
Then the stranger began to speak. "I am very grateful and extraordinarily moved," he began, "by your welcome and hospitality. But, I fear, I am here under false pretences. However, in my defence, I have done this for good reason. For I am not, as you may think, a Tramp. This was simply a disguise designed to test you. To test the Dean and to test you all. For, you see, I am the newly-appointed Bishop of the Diocese in which your estimable college sits. I am your new Bishop. I had heard that this college, and all of you here, practised to the best of your ability the Christian commandments of love of God and love of Neighbour. Of welcoming strangers as if they were Christ himself. I wanted to see if this were really true. I am glad - indeed delighted and humbled - to note that this is indeed your practice and, it would seem, at the heart of everything you do. So, as I rise to thank you for your welcome and hospitality, I give you also a toast: To hospitality and welcome for everyone everywhere at this Christmas time and always!"
Those present rose as one and, together, they cried with renewed joy: "Amen!"
Which makes me wonder: Who will we offer a welcome and hospitality to this Christmas time and
always? Who will we share the good things that we enjoy with? Who will we take care of, as if we were taking care of Christ himself?
May the Spirit of Christmas dwell in your hearts and your homes now and evermore. Amen