Jasmine's Place Issue No. 20 - Christmas 2017 | Page 28

WELLNESS DEFENSE What’s In Your Hand? By Haley Pridgen What do you think of when you hear the term hospitality? Maybe hosting a birthday party or a baby shower for your best friend comes to mind. Or perhaps you think of church or family functions. I tend to think about Christmas, the celebration of earth hosting the greatest visitor to ever walk on the planet-our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ! Meriam-Webster Dictionary defines hospitality as, “generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests: hospitable treatment.” I love how this definition points out that hospitality is all about how we treat 28 JASMINE'S PLACE each other. This is a central theme in the Gospels. In fact, John 13:35 reads, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Wow! This truth is supported in Romans 12 where Paul lists out some earmarks of true Christians. In verses 12-13 he writes, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” True followers of Jesus are known by looking for ways to be generous and kind to one another, meeting each other’s needs.