But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)
To all of us who work in hospice and palliative care: We are the Christ Light bringers. Into the darkness of pain, and suffering, we bring the light of hope – hope for relief of symptoms, the healing of relationships, the restoration of families.
We bring our presence to reassure, and comfort. There are times when there is little that we can do, except to walk with, sit with, be with, those of our patients and their friends and families who suffer. There is some measure of comfort in that, even when there is little else we can do.
We honor those we serve with our presence. If, as M. Scott Peck said, “Love is the willingness to invest in another’s spiritual growth,” then we definitely love our patients. Investing our time and emotional energy, our concerns, our strength when they have none. Hoping and praying for them, all that God can bless them with in this life and in the life to come.
Ours is a work not just for income, but for all that we pour out, medically, personally, emotionally, and spiritually, and yet I think we receive so very much more in blessing, than we can ever issue forth.
I wish all of you, caregivers, whether medical or lay, whether you care for family, friends or persons you would never have known were it not for your profession, I wish and pray for you the joy that only our Christ and His Light, can bring for you.
Be Blessed this Christmas season and always.
Last Updated: November 5, 2018