Perhaps no time of year is marked as a time for hospitality more than November and December. Thanksgiving is a time for gatherings, friendships, and family. December promises a marathon of family, work, school, and church celebrations. There are so many opportunities to practice hospitality that we can become weary with it. During this season, hospitality can simply become work:
- Hospitality means making food or dessert for each gathering.
- Hospitality means coming up with fun activities for family and friends.
- Hospitality means trying to keep our homes clean in the midst of chaos.
- Hospitality means everyone must be on their best behavior.
But are these things what hospitality is truly about?
The Definition of Hospitality
The American Heritage Dictionary defines hospitality as the “cordial and generous reception of or disposition toward guests.”[1]
Hospitality is not about the food we serve or the image we create. It does not require a clean home or fun activities. It does not even require that we host people in our own homes. Instead, hospitality is an attitude we practice. It involves making people feel accepted and valued.
“Hospitality is an attitude.”
This attitude of hospitality is a characteristic God greatly desires His people to have. One of the requirements of pastors and bishops is that they love extending hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). I see this quality in my dad, who pastors a small church in Missouri.
When people visit his church, Dad always makes an effort to greet them, learn their names, and welcome them from the pulpit during announcements. Yet his hospitality extends beyond the walls of the church as he spends time with people. Sometimes he stops by a home to visit a church member. Sometimes he calls people on the phone to check in with them. Other times, he simply stands around for an hour after church talking with young men and giving encouragement.
The Practicality of Hospitality
Acts of hospitality touch the very heart of God. God so loves His people that when we minister to one of them, He takes personal joy and pleasure in it (Matthew 25:35–36, 40). The spirit of hospitality is something each and every person can cultivate and practice, regardless of gender or living situation. It is not confined to a space, event, or holiday. Actually, most of our hospitality will be practiced outside the walls of our homes. Whether we are on the job, walking into church, or standing in line at the grocery store, we can reflect a spirit of hospitality.
At work, your desk may be the most welcoming space in the office as you cover it with inspirational quotes, Bible verses, and plants. But simply giving a smile to someone in the break room or pausing on the way to the microwave to hear someone out are ways that we reflect an open and accepting heart to the people around us.
Sometimes practicing hospitality means talking to people in our Sunday school classes or small groups that we do not normally engage with. It may also include inviting someone sitting alone in the college cafeteria to join our group.
It may mean that at the next holiday gathering, we ask God to give us one person to smile at and listen to. We ask for God to lead us to one person who is feeling a little lonely or overwhelmed. And we ask that person, “What is happening in your life?” “What is one thing you looking forward to this month?” “What can I pray about for you this next week?”
The Heart of Hospitality
Everyone wants to feel welcomed and accepted. No matter where we are, we can reach out and make someone just a little more comfortable, a little more loved. Food is always great. An orderly house puts us at ease. But a spirit that listens well and loves on others is far more valuable in the ministry of hospitality.
This holiday season, let’s ask God to do a work in us and through us. As we navigate the hectic schedule and pressures of the holidays, let’s take a deep breath and allow God’s Holy Spirit to work in our lives so that we can demonstrate true hospitality to the people God leads us to love and serve.
[1]. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th ed. (2020), s.v. “Hospitality,” https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=hospitality.
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For more biblical insights and ideas for practicing unconventional hospitality, check out my book Opening the Hope Chest: A Single Girl’s Guide to Homemaking.
Great points about true hospitality.
Good thoughts on refocusing our attitude and actions toward hospitality.