Homelessness and a Manger

1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Last Sunday the Warming Shelters in our region, including the one operating out of Trenton United, our home congregation, opened their doors. They will be available through the night for four months and while they are supposedly not places to sleep as with shelters providing beds, does anyone thinks that the guests won't catch some zees? 

Homelessness has become a crisis in Canada yet finding solutions in a country that experiences what are often harsh Winter conditions seems beyond our leaders. There are homeless encampments everywhere, including several within walking distance of our suburban Belleville home. When we moved to this community in 2013 there were none in the woods and along the waterfront nearby. 

You may be aware that a group of Ontario city mayors want the Ford government to override the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, weaponizing the Notwithstanding Clause (definitely not the Santa Clause) to allow them to dismantle these encampments even when no other housing is provided for those who will be evicted. This was never the intended use of the Clause but Premier Ford has demonstrated that he has little sympathy for the unhoused and he doesn't seem to have much respect for the Charter if it doesn't suit him. The mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow, has not joined with these other mayors because she knows that eviction is not the answer to this pressing social problem. 

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In 2018, municipalities across the province counted 21,000 people experiencing homelessness. An estimate from August of this year says that this number has increased ten-fold. Enumerating those without housing is a challenge because these persons are...homeless and often on the move. The reality is, though, that even if the number from 2018 has simply tripled, kicking people out of tent encampments or even providing more shelter spaces are not solutions. They are, in fact, Scrooge-like in their heartlessness.

There was more snowfall in our area overnight and the temperature hovered around the freezing point. What do we say and sing and do in response?

A lot of people who don't consider themselves religious will lean in to sing the lovely and misleading carol, Away in a Manger, at some point in this season. Should we prayerfully silence this beloved song about the birth of Jesus until we take seriously all those who have no crib for a bed? Lord Jesus, be near all those who want to have meaningful lives here and now.

3 Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by me for ever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.