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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Dr Krish Kandiah

Good Morning.

This week I have been inspired by a friend who has welcomed a couple of young men into his home when they had nowhere else to go. It had become too dangerous for them to stay in Hong Kong because their friends had been arrested for promoting democracy. And as asylum seekers in the UK they had no place to live and no means to earn money. My friend has no connection to Hong Kong - no family there, no business interests - but when he heard about the plight of these two strangers, he stepped forward to help.

Today is epiphany when the church remembers other travellers from the east. The Magi were ancient scientists who had interpreted the movement of the stars to mean someone extremely important had been born in Israel. Many of the locals would have sent them packing – not only because of their strange beliefs and customs, but because they were deemed ceremonially unclean. But Joseph and Mary, despite being poor and busy with a new baby, welcomed them in.

Christians have understood for millennia that these visitors were a significant part of the post-Christmas story because Jesus was born for the whole world. All are welcome into God’s family, wherever they come from. My friend is living this message out by opening his home to travellers from the east today. When we’re able, Perhaps more of us will follow in his footsteps and experience the post-Christmas power of offering hospitality to those in need.

Dear Lord,
Thank you that our ethnicity and nationality are no barrier to us receiving your grace.
May we mirror your hospitality to us to those around who need it most.
Amen.