By Father Christopher Kubat
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and the lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Lk 2:4-7).
I am sure we are all familiar with this story of Joseph and Mary frantically looking for a place to stay. It was an urgent need because Mary was ready to give birth to the Christ Child, the Savior of the world.
Just days ago, while walking through our lobby, I greeted an elderly couple who had lost everything except the clothes on their backs in a house fire. Luckily, they have a place to stay temporarily. However, they were there looking for assistance as they start over from scratch.
Starting over from scratch is one thing when young, but is another when elderly. I estimated they are in their 70s and somewhat frail.
As the elderly man sipped on some coffee we served him, I could smell the smoke in their clothes. As you might imagine, their immediate need was getting some clothing, and then furniture and household items for their new apartment.
As we gave them a thrift store voucher for clothing, I recalled the prior examples of couples and families we have helped start over after a fire. Fortunately, they survived the fire without sustaining any injuries. Needless to say they were most grateful receiving the voucher and promise of furniture and other needed items when they move into their new residence. Can you imagine the gratitude of Mary and Joseph when they learned there was room in a stable?
I am grateful to our donors who not only support us monetarily with cash donations (for we do not accept any government dollars, which have strings attached) but also for their material donations of vehicles, furniture, appliances, housewares and the like, for without them we would have turned this couple away, like the innkeepers who turned Mary and Joseph away that cold Christmas Eve....
It is our prayer at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska and St. Gianna Women’s Homes that you and your family have a blessed Christmas and Christmas season.
Let us never forget what St. Paul said about the Word Made Flesh, “Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year!!
