Caring During a Crisis

   I have seen what they have done, but I will heal them. I will guide them and comfort them and those who felt sad for them. (Isaiah 57:18, New Century Version)

We’ve followed Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem and seen them given safe shelter. We picture Mary and Joseph alone now as she delivers her Son. Of all the scenes of that first Christmas that I have the most trouble with it would be this one. There is no doubt in my mind that Mary was surrounded by loving women, probably relatives of Joseph. In fact, we already know from earlier in the book of Luke that her cousin Elizabeth lived in the area.

   Mary got up and went quickly to a town in the hills of Judea. She came to Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the unborn baby inside her jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:39-41, New Century Version)

Nope, Jesus was not born in the company of only his earthly mother and father and various farm animals. He was welcomed into this world by a bevy of women. But what if he had come into this world during the pandemic of 2020?

I believe most maternity wards are still generally fully staffed, and that fathers are still allowed in the delivery room. But what about the grandmothers and grandfathers and other relatives sitting at home, in isolation, only getting pictures and videos of these newborns. Many of them have still not held their precious grandchildren.

Anyone hospitalized for any reason has been in the same boat all year. When my mother-in-law had her hip surgery in October, resulting in a few hours in ICU before she passed away, only one family member - my husband as he was closest to the hospital at the time - was allowed at her bedside to say good-bye. No one had been allowed to see her before she went into surgery.

The saddest though, I think, are our dear nursing home residents. Even before the pandemic, their daily lives often consisted of hours of staring at a TV screen or the ceiling above their beds. The brightest moments for them were those visits from loved ones, the hugs, the hand-holding, the sneaking in of treats. This year, they can only see their loved ones through their windows or via their cellphones or I-pads, if they have one and are cognizant enough to use one. Very sad times for sure.

Lord, God, be with families and friends who are in need of a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on. Give them strength and hope to get through these times. Amen.

Two of the residents at the nursing home I visited in Ayacucho, Peru in 2009.