by Joan Mitchell, CSH
The newborn lying in a manger is the sign of good news for the shepherds. The child who is God’s joy for the world is born among the poor to include the poor in God’s good news. Each year we live out this spirit of reaching out to all.
Christmas comes at the end of the month. For families stretching paychecks, food supplies, or temporary assistance, it comes at the time of month when they have the least money. The spirit of Christmas motivates many people to unusual generosity and hospitality.
Parishes, school faculty, work staffs buy gifts and food for families in need. People invite coworkers who are alone to join their families for Christmas dinner. Christmas opens doors and widens tables in the spirit of making room for the Christ child for whom there was no room at the inn.
- What if the spirit of Christmas lasted all year? How might we change our civic community?