Christmas Greetings 2009 from Bishop Duncan

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December 17, 2009

Bishop Philip Duncan

This past weekend Kathy and I were in Mobile driving to the apartment at the Cathedral following a visitation on Saturday evening. We passed by numerous parking lots that seemed to be full of cars and small shops, still open, with people going along at a brisk pace in the gentle rain. I thought of the shopping I needed to do (wanted to do actually) to be ready for the coming celebration of our Lord’s birth. Then I listened to the rolling thunder and thought: OK, that is just my need and desire to give gifts to family and friends; which is human and cultural. I would give small  gifts this year – more thunder – Really? Then the rains began and kept raining, the roads flooded and the traffic snarled. By the time we got to mid-town, the streets were flooded and all but impassable. I was driving down the center of Government Street (on high ground) as cars pulling over   began to stall. What a mess! Kathy, sitting next to me asked, “So where do the homeless go in this community when the weather gets this bad?” I almost pulled over and stopped, but I kept moving. I was thinking of gifts and she was thinking of the poor. We began to converse about that aspect, of those who have no home, no place to lay their heads that is secure, safe, warm, and dry. By the time we reached the downtown area, the streets were not as flooded (the rain still was heavy, making it hard to see) and we were able to pull into the Cathedral parking area and for a short time, waited in the car until the downpour let up enough for us to run into the warmth of our “home for the night.”

Where do the homeless go? Where to they sleep on good nights, bad nights, silent nights, noisy nights or any of the nights of the year? Not just in Mobile but throughout our diocese and around our communities and in this nation, where do they rest and renew and make plans for tomorrow?

Kathy reminded me that as in Dallas and Clearwater and New York City, this is no easy or simple issue. I know that the complexities are many and that large numbers of our people are working with and helping those who are homeless – the young and old, the once rich, the poor, the unemployed and employed, the challenged and ill and many others. During this time of the year people seek shelter and comfort from the elements and from those who would abuse and do harm.

This Christmas season I want to thank those within our diocese who work with and on behalf of the homeless. Is this not as Christ coming into our world and our lives with only a manger as a place to find a home for the night? For those seeking to change systems, Thank You! For those seeking to meet immediate needs, Thank You! For those remembering all those in need this and every night in your prayers, Thank You! And on this Christmas especially, may Christ come to dwell in your hearts and enable us to find ways to meet the needs of all those whom Christ loves and for whom
Christ is born.

Come let us adore him!
Bishop Duncan