Brace yourself for the age-old wisdom that's just as relevant today—'Welcome the Stranger'. It's a principle as old as civilization, celebrated in religious texts, cherished by our founding fathers, and lived by generations in towns across America. We're talking about the timeless virtue of extending a hand to strangers, a value steeped in cultural and historical significance. It speaks to the who: communities shaped by tradition and religious teachings; the what: a warm reception to those newly arrived; the when: from pilgrim days to frontier settlements; the where: the heartland where neighbors were friends-in-training; and the why: because roots grow stronger when transplanted into welcoming soil. It’s not about global agreements or open-door policies but centered around local communities and individual relationships. It's a practice that's all about strengthening the bonds that hold us together, regardless of where you came from last Tuesday.
If there's one thing America was built on, it's that firm handshake of respect and dignity. It’s about holding the door open to the community church, helping a family move in next door, or simply sharing a meal. Anything that brings a smile to the face of someone new to town. This doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind and disbanding vetting processes or national security measures. Quite the opposite—it’s about maintaining a strong community built on decency and order. Some misunderstand this and unwittingly advocate for chaos disguised as compassion.
Our predecessors were wise and practical. They knew the dangers of unchecked borders, nations without laws, and the perils of open gates during trying times. Yet, they fully embraced the enriching experiences of new cultures and peoples who respected the customs and laws of the land they entered. Just ask any of the millions of immigrants who came here with dreams and made them real. They ‘welcomed the stranger’ in a way that strengthened their communities, not diluted them.
A real embrace of the stranger goes beyond mere sentiment; it requires a structure. It is about building families, the backbone of any society, ensuring that every new person adds to the tradition rather than subtracting from it. It's not hard to see why so many confuse openness with disorder. It's one thing to help someone carry their suitcase. It's another to hand them the keys to the city.
There's a rich tapestry that comes with diversity, grounded in common values and respect for established norms. This isn’t the pluralism that leaves us floundering in a sea of unassimilated differences. Rather, it is a beautiful mosaic where each piece complements the other, forming a stronger picture. It's an understanding that while paths to prosperity are varied, discipline and hard work undergird them all. Let’s not be surprised when traditions of faith, liberty, and hard work yield the greatest societies.
What happens when we lose this embrace? You get divided communities. It leads to cultural chaos. The type where no one knows if they are coming or going, let alone if their actions make sense in the context of community welfare. Sure, individual rights are important, but sometimes society forgets that individualism thrives best when it adds value to the whole.
Remember, history is littered with societies that ignored these truths and paid the price. Those that welcomed the stranger but preserved the dignity of the local customs and traditional principles are the ones that survived and flourished. Only when communities are healthy and whole, adhering to principles passed down through the ages, can they truly welcome others to thrive alongside them.
Let’s not strip down our walls as we throw open our gates. Instead, let's offer a welcoming smile, a sincere handshake, and an invite to the village potluck. Doing so strengthens one community member at a time while preserving what makes our towns and cities uniquely ours. That's the essence of true hospitality—maintaining a generous heart while holding onto principles that have withstood the tests of time. The truth is a warm friend but don’t mistake it for a pushover.