Written by Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

In the seven days leading up to Christmas, the Church has the tradition of singing or reciting the O Antiphons. You might recognize these words in the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” On December 22, the antiphon is “O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save us, whom you formed from the dust!”

When Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, it was because of a decree from Rome. The people in the occupied lands held by Rome were required to return to their hometown for registration. This census was to control, to tax, and to require allegiance. People of faith are often at odds with the requirements and the actions of the empire. We hear the voices of the prophets cry out against the actions of the government. We read the words of the Gospels, focusing on the ways in which the empire contradicts God’s expectations. Here we are, as Christmas approaches, calling for our Savior and King of the Nations.

In Walter Brueggeman’s book The Prophetic Imagination, he says, “Only in the empire are we pressed and urged and invited to pretend that things are all right—either in the dean’s office or in our marriage or in the hospital room. And as long as the empire can keep the pretense alive that things are all right, there will be no real grieving and no serious criticism." But the Church has always done otherwise, offering criticism in conjunction with our beliefs in the King of Nations, Jesus.

In Rome, one of the most moving pieces of art for me is a more recent installation at the Vatican, outside St. Peter’s. It is called Angels Unawares. This piece, by Timothy Schmalz, focuses our attention on the need for compassion for the many migrants in our world. Those seeking a better life, safety for their families, opportunities to thrive and be free are represented in this work. The piece shows many on a boat who are fleeing to safety. Hebrews 13:2 tells us, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Among the many migrants on this boat are a Jew fleeing Nazi Germany, a Syrian escaping civil war, and a Pole running from a communist regime.

God’s story connects us all. We learn of Mary and Joseph being required to go to Bethlehem just as Mary is ready to give birth to Jesus. We discover Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt when threatened by Herod. We know that this story is the same for so many of God’s people. We are reminded to turn to the King of Nations, to Jesus, and to do as he calls us to do, entertaining angels unawares.

Blessed Angela: “Give aid to all without exception,… for everybody is our neighbor.”