No Room At the Inn

“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Luke 2:7

Some might understand the challenges that come with being pregnant. But for Mary, it was more than your average pregnancy and birth. She was traveling – on a donkey – into a foreign land, and had no place to stay. One could certainly understand if her stress level was through the roof.

Often, we hear that Mary and Joseph had no place to stay because the census was being taken and the town was full of people. And while this is true, we must also remember that this was Joseph’s hometown – and his family should have provided a place for them to stay. But Mary’s pregnancy, with a child that did not belong to Joseph, was likely very offensive and scandalous to his family. Today, we know she was carrying the Savior of the world and the Holy Spirit conceived the child, but Mary was rejected by her own people because they only saw her circumstances.

At just 23-years-old, Julia was in her fourth pregnancy. She was facing major challenges, including poverty, homelessness, mental illness, lack of a strong social support system, the inability to read or write and a long history of abuse and abandonment by her family members. As a result, CPS had removed her three children from her care.

Julia contacted Catholic Charities’ St. Elizabeth|Coleman Pregnancy & Adoptive Services to make an adoption plan for her fourth child, but she also opened the door to a new support system to help her financially, emotionally, and to connect her with local resources.

Since the adoption of her child, Julia has formed a personal relationship with her social worker and moved out of the homeless shelter where she was staying into a small house within walking distance of her health clinic and the grocery store.  As Julia continues to grow and experience renewed hope for her future, Catholic Charities will be by her side, offering her the lifelong services and support she needs.

How often do we refuse to give a place to our own version of “outcasts,” not only in our homes, but in our lives? Joseph’s relatives probably thought they were being righteous by shunning Mary. Do we unconditionally welcome the hurting, poor, orphaned, widowed, homeless, and needy around us?

This Christmas season – and all year long – open your hearts, homes, and pockets to help those in need. Look beyond their current circumstances and see that they are a gift from God.