Some Strange Visitors

Posted Jan 30, 09:15

Christmas cards
Once again this year we sent out over 80 Christmas Cards on behalf of George and the Kirk Session, to members of the congregation and to families’ bereaved over the year. And again we say a grateful thank you to Janette Mackenzie for donating these handmade cards.

Many members responded by thanking us for our thoughts at this time of the year.

I also add my own and Margaret’s thanks for the many cards we ourselves received from members of the congregation, and all the warm messages and good wishes for the coming year. We are very grateful for all your thoughts and encouragement as we celebrate Christmas, and look towards the New Year.

Some Strange Visitors
A member of our congregation passed on a story which I adapted for use at the early service on Christmas Eve. I think it is well worth repeating.

On a cold snowy morning, a woman living in an isolated cottage in the country opened her front door to go out to collect water from the well and firewood for the stove. She got quite a surprise when she found three old men standing in front of the cottage – all wearing heavy greatcoats, and each one with a long white beard.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” she said. “You are very far away from anywhere this cold morning.”

“Yes, we are travellers. Please let me introduce myself – I am
Mr Love, and this is Mr Wealth, and this is Mr Success.”

“My goodness,” the woman said, “you look frozen – why don’t you come in for a cup of tea and some soup?”

“We couldn’t possibly come in while you are on your own”, said one of the men. “But we can wait.”

“Well, when my husband and daughter return from the village, you really must come in.”

The woman set about her chores, stopping occasionally to watch the three men – still standing quietly outside – and when her family returned, she immediately went out to invite the three men in.

The spokesman smiled, and said, “Unfortunately, we have a rule that we cannot all come into the house at the same time. But you may invite one of us in – Mr Love, Mr Wealth, or Mr Success.”

So, back inside, the family began a discussion about which one they should invite in. The daughter was quite clear, “Why don’t we invite Mr Success in. Just think what life would be like – I could be famous, like Leona Lewis, or Victoria Beckham.” The wife was also quite clear, “If we invite Mr Wealth in, then perhaps I’d not have to struggle over this old range – I could have a new kitchen, you could have a new car – and, we could all go on winter holidays, away from this cold.” But the father wasn’t inclined towards either of these. “If we chose Mr Success, daughter, soon you would have no time for your mother or me. And if we chose Mr Wealth, my wife, I fancy we would have bought lots of interesting things, but I think you and I would not see eye to eye on many things. No, I think I would rather invite Mr Love in, because he will build strong warmth in our hearts, and we would remain close to each other.”

For a short while the family discussed these options, before finally agreeing who to invite in. The mother went out the door and said, “Gentlemen, we have decided, and we’d like to invite Mr Love into our home.”

The moment she said that, all three men stepped forward to come in. “But I thought only one could come in”, said the perplexed woman.

“Yes,” said Mr Love, “if you had chosen any one of the other two, they would indeed have come in alone, because on their own there would be no welcome for such as me. But if you choose to welcome Mr Love into your house, then there is a welcome also for Mr Success and Mr Wealth. With love in your house, you will understand what true success and true wealth actually is.”

At this time of year, following the Christmas season, we know what is really important in life – God’s gift of love for everyone – the gift that comes to us through the birth, and the ministry of Christ. With love welcomed into our homes and into our hearts, everything else is put into the real perspective.

May the story of Christmas have warmed your hearts with God’s love, so that in this coming year you may know what the important and the real things are.

My very best wishes to you all,

George

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