Fourth Sunday of Advent

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” -Luke 2:1-7

I have spent Advent walking a little daily with Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem. The Holy Family welcomed me without hesitation as I presented my prayers for you to the Christ Child in the womb.
Today, they entered Bethlehem and struggled to find a place to stay. I watched with sadness as they were turned away from one place after another. A thought came to me.

When we carry our cross, we unite our suffering to that of Christ, and through the fullness of time, from the Father’s perspective, we carry our cross at the exact moment Jesus carries His.
With the same reasoning, I realized that on this day, we also have the opportunity to welcome the Holy Family into our homes. From the Father’s perspective, we open our homes to Mary and Joseph in their deepest time of need.

Make room for them and provide shelter and love as you accept them into your home. When Joseph knocks, open your door to allow his family to join with yours. The New Born King wants to come and live with you.

Saints Adam and Eve, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you!