It was the week before Christmas, and our young family was asked to take in a foster child, a two-week-old infant. He came with a bare minimum — a grubby bunting bag with a small bottle of milk dampening the corner into which it had been carelessly shoved. The baby's face looked blank, as if he were unable to process this unfriendly world into which he had been born.

His teenaged mother had apparently given up on looking after the demands of a newborn, and had surrendered him to foster care.

We had the baby for three days, making room in our lives by the practice of hospitality — defined by the dictionary as "receiving guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, and generous way". It was challenging to get up in the middle of the night and feed the baby a bottle every two hours, much different than nursing my summer babies. We did what was needed, though, with our boys lavishing attention on our guest by holding him up to see the coloured tree lights. At the end of our time with baby Keith, his whole demeanour had changed. He was alert and no longer had that blank look. He was ready to go to his forever family several kilometres away.

It was a similar story for Joseph and Mary, who arrived wearily in crowded Bethlehem so long ago to take part in a census for taxation purposes. Mary was almost ready to give birth. Hospitality was a social requirement of the culture of the day, and Bethlehem was the hometown of their ancestors. Perhaps a relative took the couple in and offered them a place to stay.

Since the guest room was already occupied, Jesus' birthing room was probably the main room of a simple peasant house. He would have been laid in the manger accessible to the animals, which stayed inside overnight on a slightly lower level. From this humble place of His birth, our Saviour grew up normally, and eventually fulfilled His mission on earth — to die on a cross and save us from our sins.

John 14:2-3 – There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. (NLT)

In this passage, Jesus was talking about hospitality in His Father's home. Our Saviour is preparing a place, better than the finest guest room, for those who believe in Him and accept His offer of hospitality. In this Advent season, is your heart ready and waiting to invite the King of kings to take up residence in it? He is ready and waiting for you.

Romans 12:13b – Always be eager to practice hospitality. (NLT)

The rewards are eternal!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You are preparing a guest room for us. Our hearts are ready to invite You in. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

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About the author:

Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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