Oh! the Anticipation

     Happy Advent!!!  Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is soon around the corner.  Growing up for me this time of year was a time of excitement and joy.  However, over the last 10 years, the Advent season has become more than a rush of stuff and craziness.  This time of Advent has become more of a season anticipation.  Just like during Lent we await for Christ to rise on Easter Sunday, during the Advent Season we should be preparing and eager anticipation for our Lord and Savior to be born among us.
     Last year was the first time in my life I was away from home during the holiday season.  It was hard.  I have no doubt that this year will be any different.  I was able to Skype my family early Christmas morning and I will do it again this year.  However, seeing your family over a web cam isn't the same.  I wasn't able to hug them, although I know that it made my Nana's day to at least see my face and talk to me for a few minutes.  During this time I also spent some time reflecting on what it must be like for our guests here at the Andre' House.  To be without...without a warm place to sleep, without food, with very little belongings, but most importantly they are without friends or family to celebrate Christmas.  At Andre' House we don't open the building until 3pm on Christmas day and even then only the bathrooms are open and dinner at 530pm.  I had many guests ask me to use the phone to call their family, however with the staff spread then there was no way we could open the office for phone calls.  This broke my heart.  What would it be like to not be able to call home?  To be completely alone on the streets of Phoenix, AZ and not be able to tell mom and dad that I was ok and wish them a Merry Christmas?  I imagine this is how Mary and Joseph felt as they traveled to Bethlehem.  To be told that there wasn't any room after a long journey far from home.  To give birth to a baby boy in a manger with only barn animals looking on.  This is what kept me here at Andre' House.  To be able to welcome those who have no place to go.  To give them clothing, a hot shower, wash their clothing, let them call home, to give them a hot meal, and to let them rest.  Unless the person is disrespectful towards others, we don't turn them away.  We try to welcome those who are beaten, broken, and down on their luck and treat them with the dignity of Christ.

 "I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me." (Matthew 25:35-36)

   During this Advent season let us remember to slow ourselves and to await the birth of Christ with great anticipation.  Let us also remember those who are homeless or living in poverty who have no one to remember them not only during this holiday season, but year round.