Set Aside Time To Show Hospitality, Be Kind, Think Of Others

“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

For some reason this time of year, Christmas and the New Year, brings this verse to mind. Showing hospitality to others is something we should be doing the whole year through, but it seems especially important as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior. I don’t think it is so much the fact that people are more in need of things (many are in need right now), but even more- so they are in need of fellowship and kindness, especially so this year.

Hospitality is essential to the sharing and spreading of God’s love. When we show hospitality, inviting someone into our home or to meet for a cup of coffee, we are providing them with the fellowship and the belonging that God designed in each of us. We were created to be a part of a group or part of the body of Christ and when someone offers another hospitality, that is welcoming them into the family of Christ.

I believe we all want interaction of some sort. Even the most introverted introvert needs to be in fellowship with others occasionally. The fellowship may be as simple as talking on the phone or sending a card in the mail, but those small gestures can make all the difference in someone’s day. When we take the time to be hospitable to others, even if it is letting them go ahead of you in line at the store or visiting while standing in line, then we are letting that person know they matter.

Oftentimes being hospitable or showing hospitality doesn’t cost us anything but time, but that seems the hardest to give. Opening our home, stopping and chatting with a neighbor, or taking a meal to a friend are not difficult things to do, yet we hesitate to do so. Why do we hesitate?

Are we worried our homes aren’t nice enough or clean enough? Are we not good with small talk? Does it take time away from our recreation or “downtime”?

If someone is truly in need of hospitality then they don’t care what your home looks like and often they just want someone to listen to them so talking isn’t always required. We just have to set aside the time, make a conscious effort to open the door, ask the question, or send the card.

When we do these simple acts of kindness, when we are able to open our homes to others and gladly invite them into our lives, then we are showing love and kindness to all, possibly even angels.

What can you do to show hospitality to others, especially someone who crosses your path that you don’t know? What do you need to set aside to make time to open your home and your hearts to others? Be prepared to entertain an angel, they may just come knocking at your door when you least expect it!

“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