December 5
Advent prepares us to live the greatest story of Love.
Each of us was created, born fragile and helpless, learning to walk and speak. Advent reminds us that God shared in this very humanity, affirming our dignity by being born a helpless baby, swaddled and laid in a manger.
Having all been created in God's image and likeness, we are called to uplift and affirm the dignity of others, especially the wounded and marginalized. During the first Advent, Mary and Joseph were overlooked, left without a place to welcome the Messiah. Yet someone saw their dignity and offered shelter — a cave, straw for bedding, and a feeding trough for the newborn Christ. Dignity is not in surroundings but in sharing Jesus's own dignity within us.
Health care provides the perfect opportunity to Love one another, to understand where we come from, to live our true purpose, and to be the best and fullest versions of ourselves. In our hospitals, great needs are met with great gifts of Love! This Christmas, let us intentionally seek one person to uplift — through kindness, presence, or care — so that Christ's Love is born anew through us.
Ryan Conklin, Program Director, Ministry Formation
CHRISTUS Health
Pause
Who in your life needs you to recognize their dignity and respond with Love?
Pray
God, who is hope, shine Your light in our darkness so that we may continue to build Your kingdom. Let us be reflections of Your brilliance, always working to make Your goodness known. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.