Christmas in Our Hearts
how the holy family informs our own struggles in 2020
inexpensive inspiration
“I found this lovely statue of Mary and her baby in a remote trading post near Deep Creek, Md. I truly felt like I’d found a treasure for $3.95. It inspires me everyday to imagine the perils of their journey and how insignificant mine are in comparison, as I journey each day in my life’s pilgrimage back to my creator.”
— Sister Pat Marie Buranosky
We’ve all struggled this year, and individual challenges have, at times, seemed insurmountable. It is at Christmas that we are reminded of the journey of Mary and Joseph and their search for shelter for the impending birth of Baby Jesus. In a blessed collision of simplicity and significance, God’s glorious light was gifted upon the world in, of all places, an animal stable.
“The meager conditions of the stable in Bethlehem offer a reality check on what is essential in life,” says Sister Frances Marie Duncan. “In this time of pandemic, many are realizing that there is beauty and depth of meaning in simplicity. We are beginning to realize how our busy lives have often clouded our vision as to what is truly essential.”
In troubled times like those we've faced this year, the spirit of Jesus has prevailed in acts of kindness that, though often simple, have had tremendous significance in the lives of those they’ve helped. These acts and those who perform them are daily reminders of God's enduring light.
“I am inspired by people around our communities who have share from their basic needs — not their leftovers — by feeding the hungry in their neighborhoods, building portable washing stations for the homeless, working at food banks, etc.,” says Sister Adelina Garcia, who ministers in San Angelo, Texas. “We are becoming aware of how blessed we are even in our struggles.”
So we continue rise to the challenge now, as we have all year long, digging deep in our dwindling pools of resilience. Let us not turn away from those in our communities and even refugees seeking new communities. Turn toward those who need your help, your hand and the goodness in your heart. Let us offer room at our “inn” to those who live in uncertainty, opening the doors to our hearts and our charitable goodness.
“My inspiration is that Mary and Joseph prevailed through their long journey, always knowing that God the Father would guide them and keep them from harm, that He would send them to a place of quite and comfort where Mary could safely deliver her Baby Jesus,” says Sharon Penater, an associate of our community who lives in Bethlehem, Pa.
Let our faith be our light, guiding us across a barren dessert to find a place of calm and quiet, a safe place for the birth of something new, something special. May all Gods good blessings be with you this Christmas, in your home and in your heart.
their journey continues
As we observe Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day in December, Sister Nancy Celaschi reminds us that the plight of modern-day refugees — not unlike the Holy Family — remains of foremost concern among the Franciscan Family.
In fact, Franciscans International recently published a new document on migration as a basic human right.
“The images of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter naturally lead me to think of all the refugees around the world,” Sister says.