When humankind dreamed of being sovereign and kings dared to present themselves as gods, God chose another way. God became human and was born in a manger, the child of a young virgin, in a hidden and forgotten town.1 In poverty, God revealed that love is the foundation of life and forgiveness the deepest medicine for the soul. Through Jesus, humanity was healed, taught, embraced, and saved. This is the mystery Christians celebrate at Christmas, and for this gift, gratitude rises with joy.
Mary stands at the center of this story as a strong and courageous woman. According to the social and religious norms of her time, a woman found pregnant outside of marriage could be publicly shamed, rejected, and even condemned to death by stoning. Mary would have been seen as a sinner, a moral failure, and a threat to social order. No one around her knew anything about an immaculate conception. What people saw was a young woman who appeared to be a single mother, vulnerable and exposed. And yet, precisely through the one many judged and rejected, God was bringing salvation into the world. Where society saw sin, God was revealing grace. Where people saw scandal, God was at work birthing hope for all.
Joseph, a carpenter, also embodies faithful resistance. He understood that the law exists for the well-being of humanity, not to enslave it. Instead of exposing Mary to violence and disgrace, he chose compassion. He believed her. He protected her. And with open arms, he received both Mary and the child she carried. In doing so, Joseph reminds us that true righteousness is not blind obedience to rules, but love that safeguards life.
In the incarnation, God laid aside privilege and embraced humility. God chose closeness instead of domination, vulnerability instead of power. This self-giving love teaches humanity the value of lowering oneself for the sake of others, for the sake of community, and for the sake of a world where good can overcome evil.
Jesus was also an immigrant. The Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, a descendant of King David. And yet, it was an imperial decree, a Roman census, that forced Joseph and Mary to travel while Mary was pregnant. Their journey was not voluntary. It was imposed by political power and threatened their safety and peace. Even here, oppressive systems unknowingly served God’s larger purposes.
God is incarnate among immigrants today. God is found among the rejected, among those who endure racism and discrimination, among those whose lives have been uprooted by war and violence, and among those for whom borders are closed because they are not considered worthy. Later, as a child, Jesus became a refugee, fleeing for his life from the deadly threats of Herod. From the very beginning, the Savior of the world shared the experience of displacement and fear.
Bethlehem, far from the gentle village portrayed on Christmas cards, proved to be harsh and unwelcoming. In their moment of deepest need, doors were closed to the weary and the vulnerable. Joseph and Mary were not offered space among people, but among animals. And so the One Christians call King entered the world surrounded by straw, animals, and the smell of manure. God chose to be born where dignity seemed absent, so that dignity might be restored everywhere.
Today, Christians give thanks for the undeserved gift of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, hearts are lifted in joy and wonder. This mystery invites humanity not only to admire it, but to live it, walking hand in hand toward justice, compassion, and peace.
Warmly,
Rev. David A Gaitan
