A Celebration of Hope

By Sean McM, friend

We weren’t exactly ready when they arrived. There was no hot water for tea, the children’s activity hadn’t been set up, and the mulled wine was still being brewed. So, while several volunteers continued to discreetly make preparations, a few of us sat with the first guests and welcomed them to our celebration of hope.

This is how Con-solatio’s annual Christmas party in Brooklyn began. Friends from across the neighborhood were invited, whether we’d known them for 10 years or 10 days. For some, the party is a rare chance to leave the homeless shelter or nursing home they live in. For others, it’s an opportunity to meet new families and smile at how quickly children become friends. But wherever they came from, it was clear in the faces of all that this celebration was something precious.

Strangers shared song booklets and became friends singing carols; both children and adults exclaimed in wonder at François Xavier’ magic show; and sorrow from the year’s difficulties was expressed and received with heartfelt words. Though Felice often performs favorite Italian songs, his joy at finding a companion who could sing along surprised even him.

It seems that every year, I wish Advent had gone differently — that I could feel more prepared, or more at peace. But even though I’m not ready, and even though I might have more sorrow to share than joy, the beauty of Christmas is that Christ comes anyways, welcoming us as we are to his celebration of hope.