Matthew 25:40 ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

As we close out this last week of Advent 2023, I want to remind you of some more things you should open before Christmas. Part of the holidays is having company. Friends and relatives come to our homes. We open our homes to them and welcome them with open arms. In fact, many of us have a hard time not hugging people when we greet them. We should strive to have open arms and homes, especially at this time of year.

Open arms of welcome were not found that first Christmas. Mary and Joseph and the soon-to-be-born Savior faced closed doors and a lack of welcome on their arrival in Bethlehem. There was no room at the inn.

Often times over the years we would invite people to our homes over the holidays who had no family or relatives in the area. We wanted them to be able to celebrate the good news of our Savior’s birth with others in the body of Christ. Not everyone took us up on the invitations, but we wanted them to feel welcomed.

When you have open arms and open doors you reflect how God has opened the doors of heaven to you. Let that remind you to keep opening your arms and homes to others.

But don’t just wait for those who come to visit you. With open arms make it a point to visit those who wait for company, those who sit at home lonely, those whose lives will be empty and less joyful if no one visits. Make an unexpected visit to someone who will be enriched and uplifted just because you took the time to stop by. This is something more of us need to do ALL YEAR LONG!

The good news that was for all people, first announced to shepherds in Jerusalem and repeated down through the centuries needs to still be shared today. People need to know who Jesus is and what He has done for them so that they can join us in the confidence of forgiveness and eternal life. One way to share this good news is with open arms and open homes.