As the final week of Advent unfolds, we reach the culmination of our “No Room at the Inn” series. Over the past few weeks, we’ve reflected on critical issues in our communities—from affordable family housing to long-term senior care to early childhood education spaces. We’ve explored how our diocese has sought innovative solutions to provide space for those in need. These efforts serve as a reminder of our call as Christians: to find room for everyone in our communities.
A Mission of Compassion
"And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
This simple, timeless passage calls us to reflect deeply on what it means to provide shelter, dignity, and care to those in need. Just as the stable became a place of welcome for the Holy Family, we as a Church are called to transform the spaces we have into sanctuaries of hope and support for our communities.
Across our parishes and diocese, underutilized spaces—empty halls, unused lands, or aging buildings—hold immense potential. They can be reimagined as affordable housing for struggling families, care homes for our elders, or early childhood education centers that nurture the youngest members of our community. These transformations not only address pressing social needs but also exemplify the Church’s mission to be a beacon of hope with compassion, creativity, and love.
Lighting the Candle of Love
Fittingly, the fourth candle on the Advent wreath represents love. It reminds us of God’s ultimate expression of love through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. This light builds upon the themes of hope, peace, and joy that guide us through Advent, culminating in the profound truth of divine love. It’s a love that urges us to open our hearts to others, to make space for those who feel excluded, and to reflect the boundless compassion of Christ in our actions.
As we light the candle of love this Sunday, we are invited to embrace Bishop Gordon’s Christmas message: “Know that God’s light within you—your joy in Christ Jesus—dispels all darkness. The Christmas story endures wherever and whenever we expand the walls of our own tents to include others.” Let us take these words to heart and carry them into the new year.
Stepping Forward into Hope
As we step into 2025, a Jubilee of Hope, we have an opportunity to make a resolution—to create space, welcome others, and embody the love of Christ in all we do. Whether it’s supporting affordable housing initiatives, volunteering with organizations that assist the vulnerable, or simply extending kindness to those around us, every effort matters.
Together, we can ensure that no one feels there is “no room” for them in our lives or communities. By embracing this mission, we honour the spirit of the Holy Family’s story—a story that began in a humble stable and changed the world.
