Entertaining Angels

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2 NIV)

Halloween has changed from my childhood.  These days it is getting too dangerous to allow our children to knock on strangers' doors asking for candy.  The trend is going towards Trunk r Treats in church parking lots or "Fall Festivals." There are still many neighborhoods that get plenty of kids, though.  Even though I live in a slightly more rural area with no sidewalks and houses that are further apart, I still get a handful of kids at my doorstep each year.  I think we must just have an innate hunger for hospitality and the desire to be able to trust our neighbors.

Way back "in the day" it wasn't unusual for someone to just knock on our door without calling first.  There were salespeople, the paperboy collecting his money for the week, a motorist asking for directions, neighbors dropping by just to visit, and even - every now and then - a beggar.  These days, the rare unexpected knock on the door makes us wary.  We peek through the peep hole or a side window and if we are alone and don't recognize the person, we a very likely not to open the door.

Halloween gives us an excuse to knock again or be able to open our own door with abandon and welcome the strange little guests and offer them refreshment.  Halloween may have been designed to scare us, but these days, it allows us to let down our guard and not fear the knock on our door, knowing that we will be delighted with the princesses, pirates and ghosts that stand outside hoping for a generous host.  And who knows... there might even be a real angel or two!

Father, 
Bless us tonight as we either take our children or grandchildren trick or treating or as we open our own doors to little strangers.  Keep our children safe and let them have a fun Halloween.  Amen.

Joys:  Taking Cecelia trick or treating tonight; yummy pumpkin desserts; fun at book club last night