During the first week of Advent,
I found myself serving at St. Peter Chanel,
who has graciously and generously offered a room
to make space for people’s stories.
It is an unassuming space,
easy to overlook in most churches.
Yet here, people who are open and willing
are met with presence, hospitality, and care
to help bring forth their testimony.
I was invited to sit with some friends
in the adoration chapel for a brief time of listening.
As I sat, grateful for the silence in His presence,
these gentle invitations settled upon my heart:
Make space.
Prepare Him room.
Even when there is no room at the inn,
God always makes a way.
Within the Body of Christ,
there are stories still being carried
by people among us.
And in making room for Christ,
the Church quietly makes room for them as well.
It is often in that same posture of making room
that we realize God Himself
is alive and present in every story.
Because each testimony waiting to be birthed
is a thread in an ever-growing tapestry of testimony,
designed by God and offered by His Church
as an expression of love back to Him.
Wherever we find ourselves,
may His grace give us the courage
to make room this Advent
for Immanuel,
the Light of the World,
the Thrill of Hope,
the greatest Story of all.