Listen

Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled:

Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son,
And they will call him, Emmanuel.

(Emmanuel means “God with us.”)

When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he didn’t have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus.

Matthew 1:22-25

Think

When we have heard the Christmas story so many times, we can forget how radically powerful it is considering the context of the time. The people were expecting God to bring them a leader to save them. Their point of reference was royalty, power, and might. When the prophet came and told them that this leader, the one who would save them, was going to be a baby and born of a virgin – what the what? This was a promise the people were waiting to be fulfilled, and then it was.

We need to recognize that putting all of this in action was proof that God will go to every length to care for us. We should not be surprised but honored like Mary and Joseph, especially when God asks us to trust. May we remember this story and so many others, which teach us that sometimes, when things seem upside-down, it is actually part of God bringing things right-side-up again.

Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks

Pray

God who keeps promises, thank you for the radical love you have for me.

Thank you for reminders that your power does not usually match that of human understanding.

You sent your son – Emmanuel – in order to be closer, to be with me. Thank you.

Amen.

Go

Take a breath, keep showing up with your whole self – this will allow others to do the same.

May we all live into our holy whole selves!