Immigration Detention Christmas Greetings.

I feel so helpless when I think about families and children being detained in the immigration detention system. Even though I serve very near the Mexican border, we are a long way from a detention center. I long for ways to do something and connect. That’s why I was very enthused to find out about Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s Hope for the Holidays program (http://lirs.org/hopefortheholidays). The goal is to distribute over 1,700 holiday cards to women and children held in immigration detention.

When I mentioned this idea to some San Lucas parishioners, the response wasn’t as energetically positive as I expected. “A Christmas card isn’t going to make that much difference to someone locked up. What we really need to do is to write letters to Congress to change the immigration laws.” I actually agree. This could be a great stepping stone toward a ministry of advocacy. LIRS has tools to help us with that, as well (http://lirs.org/lirs-congressional-advocacy-guide-2014/).

I totally get that writing a Christmas card isn’t going to change the world. What this campaign really does is get us in congregations thinking about what is happening with these families—our neighbors. It’s raising awareness for us. If it does also give someone in detention a word of hope, that’s great, too. I am very glad LIRS is encouraging this. I really want San Lucas to participate because we have so many parishioners with recent firsthand experience as immigrants that there is quite a bit of prayerful wisdom and compassionate greeting in our people. Our native Spanish speakers provide a unique perspective. There is so much to share.

The LIRS website has a few holiday greetings in Spanish. Here is a list of some more sentences and paragraphs that could be helpful. I’m going to print these out for when we make cards during one of our inter-generational learning times. My hope is that this list can be move beyond trite platitudes and theological niceties and provide words of comfort and healing for people in horrible situations:

Usted no conoce a nosotros, pero oramos por usted. Oramos por un espíritu de esperanza y alegría en medio de circunstancias tan graves. Oramos por paz. You don’t know us, but we pray for you. We pray for a spirit of hope and joy in the midst of such grave circumstances. We pray for peace.

No podemos imaginar su experiencia ni su soledad durante este tiempo tan duro, pero oramos. Oramos por su vida, por su familia, y que pueda reunirse otra vez. We can’t imagine your experience nor solitude during this such tough time, but we pray. We pray for your life, for your family, and that you can be reunited once again.

No conocemos a usted, pero su situación está en nuestros corazones. No podemos imaginar lo que significa para estar tan lejos de su familia. Oramos por cambios en este mundo. Oramos por usted y que pueda seguir adelante con esperanza y fe. We don’t know you, but your situation is on our hearts. We can’t imagine what it means to be so far from family. We pray for changes in this world. We pray for you and that you can keep on with hope and faith.

Durante esta estación navideña, recordamos que el niño Jesús en el pesebre es el mismo Señor Jesús que sufre con nosotros en la cruz y quien conoce a nuestro dolor. Oramos que usted pueda reconocer que no está solo en su camino. Dios está con usted y su familia durante todo. During this Christmas season, we remember that the Baby Jesus in the manger is the same Lord Jesus who suffers with us on the cross and who knows our pain. We pray that you can recognize that you are not alone in your journey. God is with you and your family during everything.

En este tiempo navideño, recordamos que Maria y José buscaba posada. Recordamos la bienvenida que solamente Dios da. Oramos que usted pueda encontrar bienvenida y reunirse con su familia de nuevo. In this Christmas time, we remember that Mary and Joseph looked for lodging. We remember the welcome that only God gives. We pray that you may find welcome and be reunited with your family again.

Al celebrar la navidad, recordamos que la Sagrada Familia se huyó de la violencia fea de un rey poderoso. Con la ayuda de Dios, Maria, José, y el Niño Jesús encontraron consuelo y descanso en Egipto. Oramos que usted y su familia pueda encontrar paz y socorro este año. Upon celebrating Christmas, we remember that the Holy Family fled the ugly violence of a powerful king. With the help of God, Mary, Joseph, and the Child Jesus found comfort and rest in Egypt. We pray that you and your family may find peace and help in the new year.

Los santos peregrinos Maria y José buscaban la bienvenida al pedir posada. Oramos que usted y su familia pueda encontrar un espíritu de hospitalidad y esperanza en este año nuevo. The holy pilgrims Mary and Joseph looked for welcome as they asked for lodging. We pray that you and your family may find a spirit of hospitality and hope in this new year.

Queremos saludarle a usted durante este tiempo navideño. Somos de una iglesia luterana en Texas. No podemos imaginar su experiencia en estos momentos duros. Nuestra fe nos recuerda que Dios está presente aun en momentos pesados. Oramos que usted pueda sentir un espíritu de solidaridad con Jesús este año. We want to greet you during this Christmas time. We are from a Lutheran church in Texas. We can’t imagine your experience in these difficult moments. Our faith reminds us that God is present even in weighty moments. We pray that you may feel a sense of solidarity with Jesus this year.

Nunca hemos conocido a usted, pero su circunstancia está pesada en nuestros corazones. Nunca podemos entender su propia experiencia, pero confiamos en Dios, que conoce todo el dolor y todo el sufrimiento del mundo. Oramos que usted y su familia pueda buscar nuevas oportunidades. We have never met you, but your circumstance is heavy on our hearts. We can never understand your own experience, but we trust in God, who knows all the pain and suffering of the world. We pray that you and your family may find new opportunities.

Dios le bendiga,

Iglesia Luterana San Lucas

Eagle Pass, Texas