Christmas in the Family

The season of Advent and Christmas are always an occasion to give thanks for the gift of a God who becomes a Child in a difficult time and place, in the precariousness of a journey and the uncertainty of a lack of hospitality, and also for the gift of Mary and Joseph who, in these difficulties, do not lose faith, hope, and trust, welcoming that Child from the very first moment into the warmth of a family.

Here at the Arsenal of Encounter, we often experience how much the simple warmth of a family makes a difference. It is beautiful to see this awareness growing more and more even among the people who work with us, silently "infecting" those who approach us. We share two episodes that moved us.

In recent weeks, some people came to volunteer in our agricultural project because there seemed to be a need for job placement. To those applying for work, we always propose coming for a few days as volunteers to get to know each other through field experience. Amal, our agricultural project manager, while talking to one of them, said: «If you want to come work here, you must know that this means – even before accepting a job – accepting to be part of a family. This place, before being a workplace, is a home, and those of us who work here do so using the family model: I have a degree in agricultural engineering and coordinating the agriculture project is the work entrusted to me personally. But if an educator is missing or there is an emergency, I have no problem making myself available and going to help, because the children and young people with disabilities have priority. And vice versa, if we have a lot of work in the fields, everyone comes to lend a hand, including the managers… even they come to hoe the earth with us if needed. Just like one does in their own home. In the two years I’ve been here, it has already happened many times. That’s how it works here.»

At the beginning of last month, however, we were offered an advanced first aid course for all our employees by the Ministry of Health. The person who came to hold the course is the sister of our new speech therapist. As is normal here, the trainer arrived dressed elegantly, wearing high-heeled shoes. When she entered, we saw her looking around amazed and struck, and it was immediately clear she felt at ease among us. She began the course and – in less than half an hour – without saying anything, with the utmost naturalness, she took off her shoes and continued the course barefoot. More comfortable in her movements and demonstrations, closer to us, who were all wearing sneakers or comfortable shoes and clothes as we do every day here. After a while, her sister went to get the slippers she uses during therapy from her locker and brought them to her. With equal naturalness, the trainer put them on and finished the course in slippers. She was at home. And there, she gifted us with enthusiasm and the utmost professionalism all her experience. But not from above—barefoot. At the end, she thanked us, saying: «I am available for any help, and I thank you because I hold many courses, but here I found an environment I haven't found anywhere else; despite being in a new place, I felt at home.»

Small concrete signs that help us every day to remember and thank the Lord who continues to be born in our lives, seeking a home among us, to teach us to be home and family for everyone He puts on our path. Not with the strength of our abilities, but with the warmth of an inhabited weakness. Not from above, but from below. Barefoot and ready to get our hands dirty. For and with others. As He has done and continues to do with us. So that every day may be a bit like Christmas in the family.

Arsenale dell'Incontro
NP December 2025