"She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, for there was no room for them at the inn." (Luke 2:7)
This passage is rich with interpretations and theories, shedding light on the historical context and circumstances of that day. It also feels strikingly familiar to the challenges facing Catholic health care today.
What we know is that Mary and Joseph embarked on a journey to Bethlehem, driven by a census decreed by the emperor. They were not alone in this venture; throngs of others made their way to the town, all in search of accommodations, stretching Bethlehem's limited resources to their breaking point.
Upon their arrival, Mary and Joseph faced the harsh reality that there was no room for them "at the inn." In those times, an inn likely referred to a home offering simple lodgings for travelers. Bethlehem was teeming with people returning to their ancestral homes for the census, and all available rooms were claimed by weary travelers, a scene that mirrors the crowded emergency departments and full hospital beds at many of our Catholic health care ministries. The landowners who took in travelers in that era likely tended to animals and maintained stables on their property. Mary and Joseph found refuge in such a stable, and the story unfolds from there: "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head."
Knowing those details, let's imagine what happened between the time they were turned away by the innkeeper and the time they found themselves in that stable. After multiple rejections, did they sneak into a stable out of desperation, hopeful to make it through the night without being kicked out? Or, perhaps, were they not turned away, but instead offered the only available space protected from the elements by a compassionate innkeeper whose beds were occupied by others in need?
I choose to believe that a compassionate and overwhelmed innkeeper, struggling with the desire to meet seemingly unlimited needs with very limited resources, did his best to accommodate Mary and Joseph, just as our caregivers strive to find creative ways to serve every patient who comes to us, even when space, resources and staff are stretched thin. Instead of sending Mary and Joseph to the inn next door to face another rejection, he offered his humble stable, and seeing that Mary was pregnant, cleaned a manger as best he could and filled it with fresh hay in preparation for her soon-to-be-born child.
The inspiring work of a nurse manager at one of our Providence ministries brings this story to life for me. At this ministry, patients used to have to wait for hours in a crowded emergency department waiting room, while behind closed doors, caregivers served those they could with limited beds. The nurse manager recognized that there was "no room for them at the inn" but was not satisfied, knowing we could do more to help those waiting. She persuaded leadership to allow a nurse and physician team to leave the confines of the emergency department and venture into the waiting room, where licensed spaces were established right by the door. There, they assess and treat patients, ensuring lab tests and other needs are addressed before a bed becomes available. Just as the innkeeper creatively offered refuge in a stable to Mary and Joseph amidst limited resources, the nurse manager stepped up to meet the challenge of caring for patients despite overcrowding.
As we reflect on the humble beginnings of Christ's birth and the unwavering dedication of Catholic health caregivers who live out the mission, we are reminded that the essence of compassion and justice lies in the willingness to find solutions and offer solace even when resources are stretched thin. Just as the innkeeper may have offered shelter in a stable to Mary and Joseph, our health care ministries strive to recognize dignity and provide care for all in the face of overwhelming demands. This story of innovation and compassion, animated by the nurse manager and her team, echoes our commitment to see the face of Jesus in every person we serve. In this season of birth, hope and renewal, may we be inspired to continue opening our hearts to all who seek comfort and healing, embodying the spirit of the Nativity through acts of kindness, creativity, and compassion.
Merry Christmas!