Celebrating Our Hosts

“Distributing to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality,”
 Romans 12:13

Individuals who are given to hospitality are amazing people. They’re usually kind, thoughtful and generous. They come with many styles of personalities, presentations, plans and purposes. Thoughtful hosts willingly sacrifice their time, resources and energy each year to gather people together to feed, encourage, and entertain others as their guests. They offer comforts in large or small community settings in their homes or other venues for their families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, churches, communities and, sometimes, even strangers. This level of hospitality truly depicts the spirit of giving and is worthy of celebration.

Hosting can be a tireless and thankless job. The energy it takes to plan, provide and prepare for a gathering, large or small, takes effort, and this effort is not always appreciated. Hospitality can often be taken for granted, especially if the person is the one who hosts the same event each year. Though hosting gets easier the more you do it, it still costs energy, effort and expense.

The holiday season seems like the perfect time to celebrate the wonderful people who host our gatherings. Here are some suggestions to help us get started:

Celebrate with Sincere Gratitude

Nothing says, “Thank you,” better than a simple, heartfelt, “Thank you.” Too often, we don’t say it enough to those who sacrifice to serve and show us hospitality. Gratitude expressed with a sincere heart carries a lot of weight with an intended recipient. Most people, who host events, don’t serve to receive thanks, but who doesn’t appreciate a little appreciation. Showing gratitude is uplifting and motivating to others, and is the least a guest can do for their host.

Celebrate with Simple Gifts

Gifts don’t have to be elaborate to celebrate a person’s service. In this case, it is the thought that counts. These gifts can be store-bought or hand-crafted items and can include:

• Candles
• Food  
• Plants
• Housewares
• Ornaments
• Etc.

There are many creative and useful gift ideas and products online. Think about your host and what they like or need. Personalized gifts are always best.

Celebrate with Supportive Gestures

There are many ways to show our hosts gratitude. Even small gestures express big support. Kindness is nice in any size, shape, or style, and giving back to those who give us enjoyment is, to put it plainly, nice.  

We can offer to lend our hosts a hand with their event in any way needed, or contribute food or funds. We can also encourage and support our hosts by returning the invitation, and inviting them to dinner or an event we are hosting or attending. Reciprocating the generosity of our hosts helps make the gift of hospitality a “gift that keeps on giving.” The world can use a lot more experiences like that to celebrate today, and it’s in our hands to do it.

God encourages us to be grateful, giving and supportive of one another in ways that honor and please Him. Celebrating our hosts is one way to show love, to encourage more hospitality, and to spread a little more joy and peace in our hearts and homes this Christmas. So, go ahead, celebrate and help spread the holiday cheer.

“Not with eyeservice as menpleasers;
but as the servants of Christ,
doing the will of God from the heart;
With good will doing service,
as to the Lord, and not to men:”
Ephesians 6:6-7

Bring It Home

If you have parties to attend this season, how will you celebrate your hosts?

Praying for you as we grow together,

Smiles, BRC