...left by my local sign angel...
Not long ago, I wrote about a “Stop Littering” sign planted by someone on a busy street near my home. Well, my Sign Angel is at it again – this time with the simple message, “Don’t Give Up.” For starters, it warms my heart that there are average people who care enough to share messages of hope with total strangers. And boy, do we need hope after a year with COVID and so much other upheaval!
It also got me thinking about Advent and about the ultimate message of hope that we just celebrated – the Birth of Christ. For more than 2,000 years people’s distressed spirits have been buoyed by the humble birth of an infant in a stable. Through all types of hardship, many worse than the recent pandemic – whether it be famine, depression, pestilence, disease, world wars – at year’s end, people have found their hope renewed by simply recounting what happened on that cold, quiet night in Bethlehem so long ago. This same birth is here for us now if only we can find a way to ease our restlessness and open our hearts to His power.
It’s telling that our Lord was NOT born into a situation of grandeur, or ease or even remote normalcy; as if to assure us – 2,000 years into the future – that when things look their bleakest we should turn our eyes to heaven and look for His star. Indeed, our Savior was born into despair. His mother and father were traveling as strangers in a land that held no relations, gave them nowhere to rest, and promised only danger for their newborn child. Yet the Holy family found solace that first holy night in the angels and the poor shepherds who came in from the fields. And lucky for us and for humanity, they did not lose hope.
While we tend to visualize Christ as the young carpenter who literally carried the cross to His own crucifixion, Advent reminds us that He first revealed Himself as a vulnerable baby with a powerful message of hope: With God, there is always room for new beginnings and for that second chance. This belief is central to the mission of Catholic Charities. For more than 60 years we’ve served neighbors who turn to our Church in their struggles – frail seniors, pregnant women, young mothers, veterans, immigrants, people with addictions and mental illness, developmental disabilities and many other challenges. This past year, COVID brought many more to our doorstep with sickness, loss of loved ones, loss of jobs and even dreams. And just like the innkeeper of Bethlehem, we opened our doors and made room, keeping hope alive and well in their hearts.
This year that message is one we all ought to fervently cling to, individually and collectively, as a community of believers. It’s been a year of trial on so many levels that it would be easy for us to throw up our hands and surrender but the infant Jesus won’t let us. He promises us a new beginning and the opportunity to keep striving in His footsteps. Advent is His personal invitation to renew our covenant with Him and not even COVID can limit us when we unite our hearts to unleash His HOPE on the world!
I am so grateful to my stealth, “Sign Angel” for the well-timed, covert inspiration. That little, road-side sign reminds each of us to use the power of the Holy season to ignite hope in the hearts of all people of goodwill throughout our country and the world.
May God continue to bless and watch over you and your loved ones. I hope you all had a joyous Christmas and I wish you peace and good health in the new year.
