The Advent season is upon us as we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. I often find myself trying to grasp the true meaning of Christmas once again and not get lost in the hustle and bustle of this time of year—gifts to buy, presents to wrap, trees to decorate. Creating Christmas lists and spending budgets overtake my thoughts as I check off my to-do lists.

I think about the journey that Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem—forced from the comfort of their homes for the annual census at a very inconvenient time as she was heavy with child. For many, this is not a foreign concept. International Migrants Day is on Dec. 18, and like Mary and Joseph, who had to make an unwanted journey, they arrived at their destination with no place to stay. Many migrants find themselves in similar circumstances. They are forced from their homes due to climate change, a lack of food, crime and political corruption. They are fleeing floods, famine, war violence and endemic poverty. They often arrive at their destination, only to be turned away or with no place to go much like Joseph and Mary when they arrived at the inn.

These adverse circumstances can lead unknowing migrants into the hands of corrupt labor recruiters, organized trafficking networks or extortion. Our country’s legislative policies leave them vulnerable to those who want to exploit them for their own personal gain. You can learn more about the Nexus of Forced Migration and Human Trafficking along with the Alliance’s efforts to break the link between these two issues.

Mary brought Jesus into the world, who taught us that everyone has value and deserves love, dignity and respect—not just those who are beautiful, rich and powerful.  We allow fear, greed, and prejudices to cloud our judgement as we turn away our neighbors. We say there’s no more room in our country as there was no more room at the inn.

But we must have our trust in the Lord who will always provide even if it’s not in the ways we expect. During this Advent season, how can we welcome the stranger? The enemy has put fear into the hearts of brothers and sisters who may soon be deported. He has put into our hearts the fear of those who live among us from other countries, but the coming of Jesus reminds us that we are all God’s children, and everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.

As we go about the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, running our errands and crossing off our Christmas list, can we share a smile and a warm hello to everyone—foreign born and U.S. born alike. Can we look for the signs of trafficking in the hotels we may travel to, the airports we fly out of, and the restaurants where we celebrate? Can we choose to shop as conscious consumers and buy fair trade and survivor made products when possible?

Finally, can we focus on the hope that Jesus brought to this world? Can we begin the New Year with a renewed hope that by working together, we can bring justice to a world where so many are exploited. While Jesus brought forth this message of love for all, may we be his hands and feet today and continue to bring the message that everyone deserves dignity, a life of freedom, security and respect. Can we make room at the inn and in our hearts for those who are forced from their homes with no place to go?

Christine Commerce
Program Director
Alliance to End Human Traffic