Embodied Promise

Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-20

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news… Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 10 -11

Christmas proclaims that God’s love comes through solidarity and presence rather than through spectacle or power. The incarnation is a profound theological assertion: God chose to be born not in a palace, but into poverty and political uncertainty. God opted to dwell among the vulnerable, not the powerful. The Gospel of Luke invites us to witness a nativity set against the backdrop of imperial pressure—a census that reduced people to mere numbers. Yet, in this context, Christ is born—not registered but revealed..

At the heart of Christmas is Mary’s act of embodied love. Her body becomes the dwelling place of divine love, and through her, the kingdom begins—not as domination, but as mutual care and courageous embodiment. In Luke’s gospel, Mary is not merely a passive vessel; she is a bold and faithful partner in God's liberating work. From the annunciation to the birth of Jesus, Mary exemplifies courageous consent, prophetic vision, and deep resilience. Her Magnificat in the first chapter of Luke showcases her as both a theologian and an activist, boldly proclaiming God’s reversal of the world’s power structures.

Mary nurtures, gives birth to, wraps, and lays down the Christ child amid the empire. Her "yes" to God transforms the world. She embraces vulnerability, takes risks, and loves in ways that challenge the status quo. Her faith is not one of quiet compliance, but rather a bold and active participation in the kingdom of God. Her story teaches us that incarnation—God-with-us—requires human courage, and that love creates space for liberation through our bodies, our labor, and our care.

Despite the fear of social ostracism that comes with being an unwed mother, Mary cherished these moments in her heart. Despite the challenges that brought her to the side of the manger holding her newborn son, Mary held these experiences dear. Even with the arrival of the shepherds—curious strangers among her family—Mary continued to treasure these events in her heart (Luke 2:19). While amazement helps us remember moments, it is love that allows us to truly cherish them.

The shepherds, who are considered outcasts in their society, are the first to hear the good news. Isaiah's promise of light breaking into darkness is fulfilled not through the grandeur of empires but in a humble manger among the weary, the displaced, and the faithful. This manger becomes the site of revelation, where the shepherds witness the Lord and see the beginning of Isaiah's prophecy in 9:6–7 (“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”) come to life. It is here that Jesus' worth, as defined by God, contrasts sharply with the imperial systems that measure human value through documentation and control. In this light, Luke’s narrative reinforces the idea that Jesus' worth transcends registration, paperwork, and the constraints of empire.

This story challenges traditional hierarchies. God does not align with the empire but chooses to be present among everyday people. God identifies with the marginalized, transforming lowliness into sacred space. Christmas, therefore,  is not just a celebration of birth but also an acknowledgment of who is included in the story and where we are called to seek God. In a world where documentation systems often erase the poor and value is assigned based on productivity, Christmas asserts that every life has inherent sacred worth.

Today, this story resonates strongly with our current context: no one's worth is to be determined by bureaucratic recognition or official documentation. As we reflect on the birth of Jesus this Christmas, amidst the season's chaos and the stresses of politics, school, or work, we are reminded that every person born into this world has a God-given purpose. God's love begins with those whom the world often overlooks. It may emerge from humble places like a manger, but it remains undeniably sacred. Sacred moments happen in small, unassuming settings.

Just as the angel instructed the shepherds to seek out the Christ child, we are also called this Christmas to pay attention to the often-overlooked parts of our communities and to recognize the unshakeable worth of every human life. Remember, you don’t need power to be part of God’s story. Mary and Joseph weren’t part of the powerful or elite society; however, they were faithful. True power lies in caring, not in controlling. Merry Christmas!