Tea and Hospitality

# Tea and Hospitality

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2

"Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." - Romans 12:13

Tea is one of the oldest beverages in the world and the most widely consumed drink globally, second only to water. The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) originated in the southwestern border region of China—northern Myanmar—northeastern India. Tea drinking may have begun as early as the second millennium before Christ (around 2000 BCE) in Yunnan Province, initially as a medicinal drink. Archaeological evidence shows that tea was used during the Western Han Dynasty (207 BCE – 9 CE) and was transported along ancient trade routes. The clearest recorded evidence of tea drinking as a beverage appears in the 3rd century CE, in the medical texts of the renowned physician Hua Tuo.(1)

In Vietnamese culture, tea holds a central place in daily life, serving as a morning beverage, with green tea being particularly favored for its mild caffeine content and L-theanine—components that enhance alertness and focus without causing restlessness. In rural areas, preparing tea together strengthens community bonds; families and neighbors often gather to enjoy freshly brewed tea to start their day and share everyday stories. Socially, tea symbolizes hospitality and respect; offering tea to guests is a traditional gesture expressing warmth and welcome, often accompanied by a slight bow or a respectful hand gesture to show sincerity.(2) The habit of preparing tea to welcome guests is a wonderful custom of our Vietnamese people!

Moreover, hospitality and welcoming our brothers and sisters in faith is a quality that God's people must possess. Scripture teaches us to live with a spirit of hospitality: "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). This spirit of hospitality is seen in Abraham (Genesis 18) and Lot (Genesis 19), when they welcomed guests who were God's angels. In the original Greek, the verb "to show hospitality" describes an active love toward those outside one's immediate family, by welcoming them with practical care. This quality is not merely a simple emotion; it is compassion practiced toward fellow believers (Romans 12:13) and toward strangers who may knock on a Christian's door (Hebrews 13:2).(3)

In Romans 12:13, hospitality is placed among other family-like duties within the body of Christ: "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." This is a command speaking of a continuous way of life, not merely temporary gestures. Hospitality must be practiced faithfully, always ready to welcome one another and our neighbors as a daily lifestyle, as the apostle John wrote about the hospitality of Gaius, "Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you" (3 John 1:5).

Hospitality will bring blessings we never expected, for we may very well be welcoming God's angels without knowing it. Jesus said that when we welcome others, we are welcoming Him: "I was a stranger and you invited me in" (Matthew 25:35b). Therefore, let us welcome one another with a joyful spirit, without grumbling or reluctance, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:9).

As beloved children of God, we must have hospitable hearts—faithful and joyful in welcoming everyone. This is a mark of those who belong to God, overflowing with His love. Hospitality is also a distinctive trait of Vietnamese culture. When we open our homes and welcome our brothers and sisters with a warm cup of fragrant tea, we are reflecting the heart of Christ—simple yet filled with deep affection! Let us imitate the Lord, having hospitable hearts and compassion for those around us. Through this, relationships are strengthened and endure in God! May the Holy Spirit grant us grace to faithfully welcome our brothers, sisters, and neighbors, maintaining good relationships and supporting those in need; may we live expressing His compassion to others; so that the Name of God becomes known to many! Amen!

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*A cup of fragrant tea in the early morning,* *Inviting travelers to pause and drink their fill,* *Simple yet precious in service,* *Precious the spirit of welcome, given without hesitation!* *Do not forget to offer hospitality and grace,* *Joyfully, faithfully, growing each day,* *A loving heart of service, so precious,* *Done to honor God, for He has loved us!* *May God's Name be proclaimed,* *May our hearts please our Holy Father forever!*

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(1) History of tea, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_tea (2) Vietnamese tea, https://grokipedia.com/page/Vietnamese_tea (3) G5318, philoxenia: Hospitality, https://biblehub.com/greek/5381.htm https://teatrade.co.uk/learning/vietnam-tea-guide.html

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