The arrival of God as a baby in a humble setting is a profound reminder that love often defies our expectations and transcends conventional grandeur.
The King of the universe choosing to enter the world in a feeding trough, amidst the earthy smells of a barn, speaks volumes about the nature of true love. It’s not always wrapped in the trappings of romance or the allure of social media perfection.
Instead, love is found in the quiet moments that often go unnoticed. It is in the selfless acts of service, like helping a friend move furniture, or the thoughtful gestures, like remembering how someone takes their coffee. Love is also in the restraint of words, choosing silence over saying something that could hurt.
And most of all, love is in the simplicity and vulnerability of a baby born from the unremarkable town of Bethlehem. The most extraordinary expression of love arrived in the most ordinary circumstances.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Micah called it - he said the Savior would come from Bethlehem, the runt of Judah's cities. But our God, never mistaken, and surely never mocked, picked the small, the overlooked, the ordinary, and said “hold my…watch this."
Love doesn't need a stage. It doesn't need a spotlight or a standing ovation. It just needs a willing heart and open hands.
That's the invitation of Christmas. Not to perform love loudly, but to practice it rentlessly. Like your life depends on loving well because it surely does. To let it flow freely and to show up in the ordinary places. In the text you didn't have to send that person, the favor they didn’t ask for but really needed.
Love literally arrived in a barn.
Pretty sure it can arrive through you too, diva.
this week's practice: do something kind anonymously. Venmo someone for coffee money, leave a bigger tip, pay for the person behind you, whatever floats your boat. just love without expectations or (critical!) taking any credit for it
honest prayer: God, thank you for showing up in ways i didn't expect and probably wouldn't have chosen. help me love like you - quietly, consistently, without needing recognition. Teach me that love doesn't need an audience to be real. In Your Son's name, amen.