Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Hospitality 1

I have been pondering the Christian ethic of hospitality of late and decided to blog about it for a season. Let's begin with a definition. The best is found in a literal translation of the Greek word for hospitality philoxenia. This word combines phileo and xenos - love and stranger to make a word that literally translates love of the stranger. This a great place to start in grasping the Christian ethic of hospitality. God calls us to open our lives to the stranger in our midst and welcome her into our lives. This reflects the way God himself opens his heart and welcomes us into his life. God is a god who loves the stranger - who welcomes the stranger - and asks us to do the same.

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