Day 1: The vulnerability of the nativity

Christmas begins with a baby—a tiny infant, wrapped in cloth, and laid in a manger. It’s such a tender image, and one that quietly turns our ideas of power upside down. In choosing to come as a newborn, Jesus chose to come in a posture of humility and dependency, right from the start. Imagine that.

Through this radical act, God showed us He isn’t removed from our human fragility. He isn’t afraid or offended by it. He actually comes in close and steps right into the messy and uncomfortable parts of our lives.The image of the Eternal King, lying in a manager, completely dependent on His mother and father shows us a beautiful image of lowly love.

The incarnation is an invitation to bring our real selves—our fears, our wounds, our longings—to Him. No masks. No pretending. And what we find when we dare to do so is the face of a loving Father who meets us in our most vulnerable places. Not from a distance, but right up close.

Because Jesus came as a human, clothed in weakness, it shows us that He understands what it means to be vulnerable and weak. He isn’t unfamiliar with the challenges and trials that we face, and from that place, He shows us a new way of living. Onethat is marked with tenderness and compassion. One that is more concerned about going low and being self-sacrificial towards others.

When we begin to see and understand God in this light, we are able to listen to His leading as He calls us to care for those who are struggling, like our brothers and sisters living in poverty. There is so much need in our world today, but, if we let Him, He will begin to openour eyes to the world around us and show us how He is moving in our global neighbourhood. He will give us language, position and opportunity to contribute to His Kingdom plans and purposes, even in our wounded and messy state.

2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us that ‘[His] power is made perfect in weakness.’ What a beautiful promise that God is not afraid of our humanness. He wants to work with it, but we must be brave enough to give it to Him.

The baby in the manger shows us a God who came close enough to be known, touched and even hurt. The manger gives us permission to bring naked need to God without shame.He didn’t come to erase our weakness, but to teach us how to carry it His way. He wants us to let Him work through us so that His glory can shine even brighter.

Today, will you let the picture of the nativity soften your heart? Will you be gentle toward your own wounds, and towards others in your life who are hurting? The places we often try to hide or run away from are the very places where God’s kindness and grace most radically meets us. It’s the place where healing begins.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to our world in vulnerability. You entered into our human weakness, and today we ask that you would give us the courage to come to you as we are. Help us lay down our pretences and bring you our fears, failures, and longings.May we learn to trust you with our pain, and would you strengthen us by your Spirit so that we can become living vessels of your love to the world around us. Amen.