“ … we saw you a stranger and welcomed you.”

Opening your home – or your heart – can turn hopelessness into hospitality. True welcome is more than just offering a place to stay; it is about creating a space where a person feels seen, valued, and safe. When we welcome the stranger, we recognise their dignity, seeing beyond differences and embracing them as a fellow child of God.

Many people today feel like strangers—immigrants seeking refuge, the homeless longing for shelter, the lonely searching for connection.

But there are also those who feel like strangers in their own homes, schools, or communities, unsure if they belong. A smile, a listening ear, an invitation to sit at the table – these small acts of mercy can break through walls of isolation and turn fear into friendship.

Christ Himself was once a stranger, finding no room at the inn. Yet, He calls us to welcome Him in the stranger, reminding us that every act of hospitality is an encounter with Him. When we open our doors, our hands, and our hearts, we offer not just a place to stay, but a glimpse of God’s love – a love that transforms strangers into family.

Art Insight