Christmas 2008 A Message from the Interim Vice Chancellor   Christmas invites us to recall, remember, and reverence the extraordinary event that took place 2000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. Joseph and a very-pregnant Mary had traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem in order to take part in the census that had been ordered by Caesar Augustus so that “the whole world should be enrolled.” A baby—helpless, innocent, and poor—was born to Mary and Joseph. This child—Emmanuel, God-with-us—was born in a cave “because there was no room for them in the inn.” Instead of a bed, there was an animal feeding trough. Instead of bed linen, there was straw. Instead of servers and fellow patrons, there were animals for company. Consider the lack of hospitality, the lack of welcome, the forgotten nature of this child and his parents. And then consider the hospitality Mary offered Jesus in her womb, when she said “yes” to God’s invitation to be the God-bearer of God-made-flesh. Imagine if Mary was less gracious, less hospitable and had said “no” to God’s request. Unimaginable. This Christmas let us learn the lesson and practice of hospitality. Let us be as open to God’s action and invitation in our lives as was Mary in her life; let us welcome all as God-with-us and God-among-us; let us make room in our hearts and in our homes for all who come to us in need; let us recognize in each other, the Other who always comes to us, through us. This is the mystery, and grace, of Incarnation. May the joy of this holy season be yours now and all through the coming New Year! Brother Robert Smith, FSC Interim Vice Chancellor