December 24 — Christmas Eve
Advent signifies to me the beginning of the celebration of Jesus's birth and his enduring presence with all of us through Christmas. It is the anticipation of the hope and love that Jesus brought to the world that is still as important today as it was then. It is the everlasting gift of caring and helping others, especially for those who are less fortunate and who are seeking to find that "hope in the darkness."
To me, the word "belongingness" resonates strongly as the message and reflections of our ministry, especially to those who are desperately in need of healing, love, friendship, and health. These are the souls that are also searching and hoping for our respect as well as the reciprocal friendship and love from us and others.
Belongingness has been called a fundamental need of our human spirit and emotions. Most importantly, belongingness means inclusion and not discrimination. As our Holy Christmas approaches, Advent is the arrival of hope, love, joy, blessings, and peace that are desperately needed in our world today. Without security, warmth, love, and belonging, we are alone…in the darkness.
Robert Kuramoto*, MD, FACS
CHA Ministry Identity Assessment External Reviewer
Pause
Where can you extend "belongingness" to someone today?
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.
* Especially during this holiday season, CHA joins in prayer and mourning with the family and friends of Bob Kuramoto, who passed away on Sept. 8, 2025. We appreciate his beautiful contribution to this resource and the many ways in which he shared his gifts within Catholic health care throughout the years..