Stable Hospitality

In the fall, we gifted our outgoing Board Chair with a snow globe featuring the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and Jesus. As the present was unwrapped, someone around the table – reflecting on the nature of our work to address the lack of safe, specialized and supportive housing for trafficked survivors –  commented,“They didn’t have anywhere to go either.”

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:4-7

I find it incredible that we can hear a familiar Bible verse or a story over and over again, and then life’s circumstances and experiences spark something that you might not ever previous considered or imagined. When I heard this – “They didn’t have anywhere to go either” – I thought about the Christmas story from Luke and pondered some of the details not provided in the account. This is where a combination of exegesis, wondering, and imagination come into play.

This is where a combination of exegesis, wondering, and imagination come into play.

Let’s imagine… Joseph and Mary, weary after long travels, seek somewhere to rest their head, somewhere to provide shelter. Perhaps Mary was already feeling the first twinges of labour and suspects the birth of Jesus is imminent.I wonder how they were greeted at the inn (or “guest room” as certain translations describe)? 

Perhaps the family bristled with suspicion and shame as they did the math.

Were they given space begrudgingly? "There’s no room! You should have come earlier! I don’t know what you want me to do – this is your problem. Fine, I guess you can stay with our animals..." A series of articles I read about the nativity story suggest that Mary and Joseph would have stayed with Joseph’s family while they were in town (I guess my own family’s “why stay in a hotel when you can stay with family!?” practice could have Biblical roots?). Perhaps the family bristled with suspicion and shame as they did the math between Joseph and Mary’s marriage and her stage of pregnancy. We will provide you shelter out of family obligation. But no fine guest room for you! Stay with our animals… 

What if Mary and Joseph, upon approaching the house, were met with care?

I found myself imagining a different story. What if Mary and Joseph, upon approaching the house, were met with care? What a bustling house we have with the census! So busy… and yet so joyous being able to see all our returning family members! "Joseph, so wonderful to see you! Mary, what a pleasure to meet you. I’m sorry we don’t have more room for you… We will do everything we can to make your stay as comfortable as possible. In fact, we’ve cleaned out the manger just for your babe. We trust it will serve as a comfortable and safe bed for him while you are with us." 

What is the difference between these opposing stories I imagine? Hospitality.

    My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,
    in secure homes,
    in undisturbed places of rest. - Isaiah 32:18

The charity I work for has been renovating a house so that we may open our first residential program for survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. As we’ve been working through the renovation process – obtaining permits, sourcing materials, organizing labour, making decisions on what rooms will look like, doing the work – I’ve been reflecting a lot on the difference between a “house” and a “home.” 

But they are not always thriving; they are sometimes just barely surviving.

Some of the survivors I work with have access to a house – they manage to find somewhere to stay, perhaps couch surfing or renting somewhere (albeit at increasingly rising costs above living wage…). They are protected from the physical elements of the weather. They might have privacy. There could be access to food and drink. But they are not always thriving; they are sometimes just barely surviving.

One can think of a “house” merely a building which serves to provide basic needs that we need to survive, to shelter one from the elements, and provide safety and security from outside threats. I view a “home,” on the other hand, as somewhere where people are fully able to flourish and thrive. Flourishing and thriving needs more than a structurally sound house; flourishing and thriving occur in an environment of hospitality, love and support.  Hospitality is seeing someone and their needs and acting on a desire to respond not just so others may survive, but to promote peace and flourishing. 

I picture a warm environment 

When I imagine the nativity scene, I picture more than the structure in which Jesus’s family bonded as a new family of three. I imagine the people involved, their actions, reactions, practices and behaviours. I picture a warm environment – not warmth from the climate, but the feelings that continue to permeate the Christmas season: hope, peace, joy and love. And I think hope, peace, joy and love makes the difference between a house and a home.