When was the last time you had anyone other than family over for dinner?  Oh, I have no doubt that some of you have. But no doubt the practice is much more scarce than it was just a couple generations ago. Hospitality was something that was part of our culture not all that long ago, but we seem to have stopped inviting people into our lives and our homes. It is not good for us and not good for those outside.
Although practice is helpful, Christian hospitality is not something that takes years to learn. It does likely take drastic rethinking in how we live our lives but the concept is very simple. Welcome people into our midst. Make them feel at home. Make strangers feel like they are old friends.
In one sense Christian hospitality is not all that distinct from any other form of hospitality. It is not that by virtue of our faith or baptism we brew better tea, make better mashed potatoes, or have more comfortable tables at our home. But what is different is that we as Christians practice hospitality as a way of manifesting the love of Christ that we have received. We do it as those who have been shown hospitality by God himself.
We too were once strangers to God by virtue of our sin. We believe that we are all born sinful and are under the power of the devil. And that makes us completely foreign to God and his holy ways. And yet, God welcomes us into his midst. He calls us through his word and makes us to be at home with him through Holy Baptism. And his hospitality towards us never ends. Each time we make ourselves strangers to him through our sins, we welcomes us back into his home through absolution and through offering us a place at his altar.
Yes we were once strangers. God has shown us his gracious hospitality, welcomed us, and made us to be at home with him. And now we have been set free to do the same to those around us.  “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2) “When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:13-14 )
Adaptation from sermon preached today
Unfortunatly the practice of welcoming friends, relatives and even strangers to our place is running out of fashion. Many will say it disturbs their privacy or messes their budget. But we are called by our God to get rid of our costumes and wear the costume of love and compassion, the one Jesus has given us. May we never forget God is always willing to welcome us into his presence and we are to do the same to others.