A Time to Celebrate

By Emma Rodriguez
Program Manager, Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community

There are extraordinary reasons for me to celebrate this Christmas.  But alongside these, there are also ordinary reasons for celebration.  This year, I saw a loved one restored to health after many months in critical condition, and received the wonderful news of financial provision for my family in Texas.  I celebrate God’s powerful intervention in these two cases.  But I also celebrate his presence in the ordinariness of life—that which we call “cotidiano” in Spanish.  For me, this is evident in the weekly interactions with students that come through the Hispanic Church Studies office.

When I started to work at Fuller three years ago, my supervisor, Juan Martínez, informed me that on Tuesdays and Thursdays—the days Hispanic Church Studies classes meet—he had an open-door policy. This meant that students could come into his office if they needed to, without making an appointment. So I decided to do the same myself on those two days. 

This Christmas I am especially thankful for this open-door policy, because it has allowed me to share in the lives of our students. I am grateful for the long conversations, the many meals, laughter, theological discussions, and camaraderie shared in our Student Lounge that have blessed my life and my work. This small place is not so ordinary, after all. Merry Christmas!

Read more Christmas reflections from Fuller faculty, alumni/ae, staff, and students.