Whether our holidays are snowy or sunny—as they are for Steve Cuss as he records from Perth, Australia—the same thing is true: Christmas is a time to remember God’s nearness to us. Steve looks to the text of Luke 2, exploring Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and their quest for a place to stay. He describes the meaning behind the Greek word philoxenia (“love of the stranger”) and the Hebrew word Immanuel (“God with us”) and considers what those terms may mean for Christians today. 

Ultimately, Steve encourages listeners to recognize that God is the ultimate host—welcoming us with love into a forever family.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Peculiar Treasures by Frederick Buechner
• “Six White Boomers”
• ​​Philoxenia
• Immanuel

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