One of the best books I’ve ever read on hospitality is The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield. It’s about how God used a dinner invitation to open his heart to her and how, in the future, she offered radical hospitality to other unbelievers. I read this book while writing book reviews for a client years ago, and it has never left my side. So how can we embrace hospitality and create a warm Christian home?
Understanding the Biblical Foundation of Hospitality
God has given us several commandments, one of which is to welcome and care for strangers, emphasizing love and generosity. It is one of the foundations of our faith and how we show the love of Christ to others in a tangible form. This is also where the biblical basis for hospitality comes from.
Creating a welcoming atmosphere: the role of your home environment
Creating a welcoming atmosphere is essential to hospitality; you can do this differently.
Make it comfortable. Blankets, extra cushions and rugs add warmth and encourage talking on the couch.
Soft lighting-Consider using warm-toned bulbs, candles, and lamps that you can dim.
Try warm scents. You can do this in different ways, such as with candles (traditional or wax-based), by baking something, or by simmering pots. Consider scents like pumpkin spice in fall, apple cinnamon in winter, floral scents in spring, and citrus scents in summer.
Clean up and get rid of clutter—Keeping your space clean and clutter-free is good for you physically and mentally and makes it more welcoming. Get rid of clutter daily so it’s not a huge chore when someone comes or enters.
Thoughtful decoration– View photos of your family, loved ones and pets. Buy an ornament with fun sayings or your favorite Bible verses. These will add a personal touch to your home. It’s also fun to change them throughout the seasons. Space to create a space in your living room for guests to gather. As mentioned earlier, blankets and cushions will add to this effect. You also want to make sure there is a coffee table nearby to set cups and dishes on.
Incorporate nature– Have potted plants nearby or at least a few seasonal arrangements on your kitchen and coffee tables. Faux flowers may be preferable if you have pets or kids like to get into things.
Play soft music – Soft music creates a relaxing atmosphere for you and your guests. You can create a playlist or download an artist’s album. When I think of calming music, I think of Jim Brickman, Chris Botti or George Winston.
Prepare snacks- We all know that food fosters community, so prepare a fruit and cheese platter or a bowl of trail mix or nuts. This will make guests feel more welcome.
Warmly welcome- Be authentic when welcoming someone into your home. Smile when you open the door, offer to take his coat, and wave him into a room where he can sit, relax, and talk. Their first impression of you will mean everything.
Inviting Interactions: The Importance of Personal Connections
Having personal relationships with other people is very important. Both online and in person. Those who feel supported in their relationships are at lower risk of anxiety and depression.
This requires mutual respect, clear communication and the ability to manage conflict constructively. It’s important to remember this no matter who is in your home: longtime friends and family, your children, or new people you’ve just met.
Nourishing the soul: Christian meals and fellowship
Food brings us all together. The Bible demonstrates this several times, from the Last Supper to the story of the five fish and the two loaves of bread. There are many ways to make eating at home more inviting.
-Always say grace before eating.
-Have warm, engaging conversations.
-Discuss the Bible or favorite Bible verses if the atmosphere is right. (This means you are evaluating the individual to see if they are new to your table. I’m not saying don’t share your faith, but you may have to wait until the right opportunity presents itself.)
-Finish your meal with something delicious and a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa.
Encouraging Open Houses: Practical Tips for Welcoming Guests
Here are some tips for welcoming your guests.
Simplify the space -mentioned earlier, and clean up the mess around your house. Other tips include tidying up your living room, bathroom and entryway, and closing doors to less-used rooms.
Prepare in advance- Stock up on essentials like towels, drinks and snacks in advance. Choose simple meals like a casserole with a hot vegetable or salad or a meal in the slow cooker.
Share the load- Ask your family to help you clean and cook if possible.
Accept imperfections: The best-prepared gatherings don’t always go perfectly, and that’s okay. Instead, focus on connection. And avoid excuses if your home isn’t spotless. It’s how you make your guests feel, not appearances. How you make them feel is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Please keep it simple. Keep extra snacks on hand and offer easy drinks like hot coffee or tea or a glass of cold lemonade on a hot day.
Cultivate a Spirit of Generosity: Giving Beyond Your Home
Hospitality and generosity go hand in hand, and it is good to promote a generous lifestyle as a family. Here are some ways to do it.
-Be generous with your time. Volunteer and get to know people. Talk to the stranger in line at the grocery store or while waiting for an appointment.
Be generous with your words. We live in a world full of pessimism and we all know that the tongue is our most powerful muscle. Use it to talk about the life of someone who is struggling or having a bad day.
Share your gifts, talents and skills. The talents God has given you are not just for you; they must be shared with others. Research and share it in person and online.
-Be generous with your possessions. Be kind and give what you don’t need. Maybe there’s a kid in a low-income neighborhood who would love to have your old sports gear. The elderly people in the retirement home would love to delve into the books they no longer want. Do animals have too many toys? Donate a few to a local shelter or cat cafe.
Teaching Children the Value of Hospitality
There are many ways to teach your children hospitality.
-You can start by asking them how they feel at a friend’s house. Do they feel welcome? Is their home welcoming?
-Teach them to welcome visitors.
-Teach them to make guests feel important
Ask them to help you prepare the next time someone comes to visit you to help you understand the problem.
-Teach them to share their things with a cheerful heart. Let them know that it’s not just about them and that sharing is a caring approach when playing with others and sharing their possessions.
-Teach them to welcome people authentically and not expect anything in return.
Prayer and reflection: making your home a sacred space
Prayer is important in Christian homes, and here is one way to create a sacred space for your family and guests.
-Create a space dedicated to prayer. This could be a corner of a room, an entire room, or a closet.
-Select works of art that represent prayer and the importance of prayer.
-Keep Bibles and books on prayer on hand to encourage the practice of prayer and reflection.
In many ways, we can make our home warm, comfortable and welcoming to our friends, family and strangers. Take stock of your home and see how you can improve the feeling of hospitality today.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/FreshSplash
