Years ago, when I was leading a girls’ discipleship group, we completed a spiritual gifts survey for each person in the group. I was surprised to see the results. Many of the girls scored me high on the gift of hospitality. I never considered hospitality one of my gifts, but then I realized hosting these teens at my home every Sunday evening extended the gift of hospitality.
Learning Hospitality
My gift hospitality is rooted in my mother’s example. Every Sunday afternoon, Mama prepared a big salad. After church, my grandmother and aunts, plus others Mama invited on a whim, came to our house for a salad supper. Sunday evenings were times of fun and laughter for all who gathered in our home.
Mama’s Christmas party for her book club was legendary. She decorated the whole house and worked for days preparing food. She knew each person’s favorites and made sure she served them. Many of the ladies said this party was Christmas for them.
If hospitality wasn’t modeled for you, don’t worry. And don’t let perfectionism stop you from giving the gift of hospitality. Extending hospitality can be as simple as asking someone who is alone at a restaurant to sit at the table with you, or inviting someone to your home who has no family in town. Many are lonely during the holidays and your gift of hospitality brings joy.
Entertaining Strangers
The Greek word for hospitality in scripture is philoxenia, meaning “love the stranger.” This doesn’t necessarily mean picking up someone off the street and inviting them to your home. Instead, philoxenia could mean showing hospitality to those who are acquaintances or new to your neighborhood or church.
Most of us spend time only with family or close friends, but this holiday season, or in the coming year, consider extending your circle to include new friends.
Year-round Hospitality
While traditional during the holidays, hospitality isn’t limited to one season of the year. And hospitality is more than hosting a meal. Hospitality often takes the form of aiding those in a difficult season of life, providing a listening ear and compassionate heart.
Spur forward motion by broadening your definition of hospitality. Be aware of God’s leadership in hospitable deeds. Let hospitality be your watchword for the new year and see blessings unfold.
“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it” (Hebrews 13:2 NLT)!
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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