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With the winter holidays quickly approaching, many of us seem to be wrapped up in all of the shopping, gift wrapping, and making Christmas lists, that we forget to share our experiences with those outside of our family. We forget about the people who have to get along without the things that we take for granted. Because we become so involved in ourselves, we put these thoughts off to the side. We overlook an important part of Christmas: Hospitality.

The word hospitality in the original language means, “love of strangers.” In pagan cultures, the stranger was looked upon with suspicion and often was ill-treated. However, all of God’s people have been commanded by God to show love to everyone. Because God is a god of love and mercy, He commands His people to treat others as God Himself has treated them.

A more modern definition of hospitality is “...the art of receiving and showing care concerning others.” Serving and ministering to others wants and needs is the greatest kind of hospitality we can share. Biblical hospitality is the humble sacrificial serving of others in order to encourage, build up, and to minister.

Deuteronomy 10:18

He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

God provides our food, clothing, gives us gladness of heart, and daily loads us with benefits. Everything that we have is a blessing from God; from the very essential things such as clothing, shelter, and food to those nicer things that the Bible calls “...the desires of thine heart.” (Psalms 37:4) These desires include such things as the freedoms that we have in this country, hobbies, etc.

Biblical hospitality is founded on the covenant amid God and His people. There is a true union between God and His children and among the members of this body of people. The Church is made up of all the true followers of Christ.

Romans 12:5

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

The Christian culture in this country today has eroded to the point that many within the Church do not know how far removed they are far from Christian principles. Hospitality is one of those forgotten principles. God does not want us to wring our hands and blame everyone else, but to roll up our sleeves and faithfully be obedient to His word.

Our call to hospitality should not be, “if you need me you can call on me.” People will only respond to this kind of offer if they already know from precious acts of hospitality that your love is genuine. This also means that not only should we learn to offer hospitality; we should also learn to accept it, graciously.

In order to practice this, we can do several things to show hospitality during these next few weeks.

· Find an older couple or an older single person, perhaps in your church, that is lonely, and invite them over for an evening meal. If you befriend an older person it will be a blessing to both them and you.

· Invite a new family or new person that is in your church or homeschool group over and get aquatinted with them. Who knows, you might build a long lasting friendship.

· Adopt-a-soldier and, when sending cards and letters, let them know that you are praying for them. To adopt one, go to http://www.operationac.com/index.htm

Of course, you can come up with other ways to show kindness to those less fortunate than you.

This holiday season let us give someone joy by showing love and hospitality!

 

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