Embracing Vulnerability: God Among the Marginalized

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Divine Vulnerability in Human Fragility

The incarnation reveals that God chose to enter the world not in power or grandeur, but through the vulnerability of a child born into a marginalized family under foreign occupation. This vulnerability is not a weakness but a profound expression of solidarity with all who suffer and face life’s harsh realities. It invites believers to recognize that God’s presence is most deeply felt in moments of exposure and need, reminding us that divine strength often appears through humble dependence and openness.

When God became flesh, He embraced the fragility of human existence, showing that vulnerability is a sacred space where grace and compassion meet. This challenges us to welcome our own vulnerabilities and those of others, seeing them as places where God’s love can be most powerfully experienced and shared.

[04:53]

Isaiah 66:9-11
“Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the Lord; “shall I who cause to bring forth shut the womb?” says your God. “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her, that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance.”

Reflection: Where in your life today do you feel most vulnerable or exposed? How might God be inviting you to see this vulnerability as a place of divine presence and strength rather than weakness?

Day 2: Faithfulness Amid Fear and Displacement

The holy family’s journey was marked by subjugation under Roman rule and the trepidation of fleeing violence as refugees. Their story reminds us that faithfulness often involves enduring hardship, uncertainty, and fear. Even in the midst of displacement and threat, Joseph and Mary trusted God’s guidance, modeling a faith that perseveres when the path is unclear and the future uncertain.

This narrative calls believers to recognize God’s presence in their own seasons of fear, displacement, or upheaval. It challenges us to hold onto trust and hope, even when life feels precarious, and to see our struggles as part of a larger story where God is actively working for good.

[09:04]

Psalm 44:11-15
“You gave us up to the sword; you killed them; they became among the nations the object of derision. You gave us up like sheep to be slaughtered and have been scattered among the nations. You sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them. You make us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us. You make us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us.”

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced fear, displacement, or uncertainty recently? How can you practice trusting God’s guidance in these difficult moments, following the example of Joseph and Mary?

Day 3: Living the Reality of Incarnation Through Kenosis

Incarnation is not merely a theological idea but a lived reality that calls believers to embody God’s presence in the world. Christ’s self-emptying (kenosis) bridges the divine and human, making God accessible and present in ordinary and broken places. This ongoing reality challenges each person to become a vessel of Christ’s presence, reflecting divine love and humility in everyday life.

By embracing kenosis, believers are invited to let go of pride, control, and self-sufficiency, making room for God’s transformative work within and through them. This posture of self-emptying opens the way for authentic connection with others and a deeper experience of God’s nearness.

[12:28]

Philippians 2:5-8
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice self-emptying to better reflect Christ’s humility and presence? How might this change your relationships or daily interactions?

Day 4: Seeking Christ Among the Margins

The nativity story invites believers to find Christ not in sanitized religious images but among “the least of these”—the hungry, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned. Jesus makes it clear that His presence is most profoundly encountered through acts of compassion toward those on the margins. This challenges the church to move beyond comfort zones and to serve where love and mercy are most needed.

This invitation calls for intentional awareness and action, encouraging believers to look beyond appearances and to engage with the brokenness of the world as a sacred opportunity to meet Christ. Serving others becomes a direct encounter with God’s incarnate love.

[15:34]

Matthew 25:35-40
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Reflection: Who in your community or life represents “the least of these” today? What is one concrete way you can show Christ’s love to them this week?

Day 5: From Sacred Space to Active Mission

The work of the church extends beyond the beauty of its sanctuary into the world’s mangers and margins. Completing a physical space is only the beginning; the true mission is to be a beacon of God’s light, shining hope into darkness and bringing comfort to those who need it most. This ongoing calling requires courage to follow God’s lead, just as Joseph, Mary, and Jesus did.

Believers are reminded that their faith is not confined to worship spaces but is lived out in active service and witness. The church’s mission is to embody God’s love in tangible ways, moving from admiration of sacred art to engagement with real human need.

[17:58]

Isaiah 58:6-9
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’”

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to move your faith from the sanctuary into active mission? How can you be a beacon of God’s light in a specific situation or relationship?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as the “holy lowlies,” those who show up not just for the high holy days, but for the ordinary Sundays too. Our focus was on the nativity scene depicted in our newly restored stained glass window—a scene that, while beautiful and serene, often glosses over the raw vulnerability at the heart of the story. Rather than dwelling on the wise men, angels, or shepherds, we looked closely at Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, and what their experience reveals about God’s willingness to enter into the messiness and fragility of human life.

The nativity is not just a picturesque moment; it is a story of subjugation, trepidation, incarnation, and invitation. Joseph and Mary were subject to the Roman Empire, forced to travel 80 miles while Mary was nine months pregnant, all to pay taxes to an occupying power. Their journey was not a joyful pilgrimage, but a difficult trek under duress, highlighting the subjugation they endured. After Jesus’ birth, the family faced trepidation—real fear and anxiety—as they fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s violence, becoming refugees themselves. This vulnerability is not just historical; it is a reminder of the plight of refugees and the marginalized in our world today.

At the heart of the nativity is the incarnation: God choosing to become flesh, to empty Himself and take on the form of a vulnerable infant. This act of kenosis—self-emptying—means that God is not distant, but in solidarity with us, bridging the gap between heaven and earth. Emmanuel, “God with us,” is not just a past event but an ongoing reality, present whenever compassion is enacted and whenever the church gathers.

Finally, this story is an invitation. Where do we see God showing up today? Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 that we find Him among the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. If we want to encounter Christ, we must look beyond the comfort of stained glass and seek Him in the mangers of our world—the lowliest places where love and compassion are most needed. As our sanctuary nears completion, our real work is just beginning: to be a beacon of God’s light, moving from the beauty of our windows to the margins where Christ’s love must shine.

Key Takeaways

1. Vulnerability is at the heart of the incarnation. God did not choose to enter the world in power or comfort, but in the vulnerability of a child born to a marginalized family under foreign occupation. This vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but a profound act of solidarity with all who suffer and are exposed to the harsh realities of life. [04:53]
2. The holy family’s experience of subjugation and trepidation reminds us that faithfulness often means enduring hardship and uncertainty. Joseph and Mary’s journey was marked by fear, displacement, and the threat of violence, yet they trusted God’s guidance even when the path was difficult and unclear. Their story invites us to recognize God’s presence in our own seasons of fear and displacement. [09:04]
3. Incarnation is not just a theological concept, but a lived reality that calls us to embody God’s presence in the world. Christ’s self-emptying (kenosis) bridges the divide between the divine and the human, making God accessible and present in the ordinary and the broken places of our lives. This ongoing reality challenges us to be vessels of Christ’s presence wherever we go. [12:28]
4. The invitation of the nativity is to seek Christ among “the least of these.” Jesus makes it clear that His presence is found not in the sanitized beauty of religious art, but in acts of compassion toward the hungry, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned. Our calling is to move beyond comfort and to serve those on the margins, where Christ is waiting to be encountered. [15:34]
5. The work of the church is never finished; it extends beyond the sanctuary into the world’s mangers and margins. As we celebrate the completion of our physical space, we are reminded that our true mission is to be a beacon of God’s light, shining into darkness and bringing hope to those who need it most. May we have the courage to follow where God leads, just as Joseph, Mary, and Jesus did. [17:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - Introduction to the Stained Glass Series
[03:33] - Bible Trivia: Nativity Details
[04:53] - Beyond the Stained Glass: The Holy Family’s Vulnerability
[07:22] - Subjugation: Life Under Roman Occupation
[09:04] - Trepidation: Fleeing as Refugees
[10:44] - Incarnation: God in the Flesh
[12:28] - Kenosis and Divine Solidarity
[14:20] - Invitation: Where Do We See God Today?
[15:34] - Finding Christ Among “The Least of These”
[16:57] - From Stained Glass to the Margins
[17:58] - Our Ongoing Calling and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 2:1-7 — (The journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus)

2. Philippians 2:5-8
(Christ’s self-emptying—kenosis—and humility in becoming human)

3. Matthew 25:34-40
(Jesus’ teaching about serving “the least of these”)

Observation Questions

According to Luke 2, why did Mary and Joseph have to travel to Bethlehem, and what does this tell us about their situation?
In Philippians 2, what does Paul say about Jesus’ attitude in becoming human? What words or phrases stand out to you in this passage?
In Matthew 25, who does Jesus say we encounter when we serve the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, or imprisoned?
The sermon described the nativity scene as “idyllic” in stained glass, but what are some of the real hardships the Holy Family faced, according to the sermon?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon describes the Holy Family as living under “subjugation” and “trepidation.” What does it mean for God to enter the world in such vulnerable circumstances, and why might this matter for our understanding of God?
Philippians 2 talks about Jesus “emptying himself” and taking on the form of a servant. How does this idea of kenosis (self-emptying) challenge common ideas about power and greatness?
The sermon connects the Holy Family’s experience as refugees to the plight of refugees and marginalized people today. What does this suggest about where God’s heart is, and how should that shape the church’s priorities?
Jesus says in Matthew 25 that when we serve “the least of these,” we are serving Him. How does this teaching expand or challenge your understanding of where and how we encounter Christ?

Application Questions

The sermon invites us to look for Christ “in the mangers of our world”—in the lowliest places. Where in your daily life do you encounter people who might be considered “the least of these”? How can you be more attentive to Christ’s presence in those moments?
The Holy Family endured fear, displacement, and uncertainty, yet trusted God’s guidance. Can you think of a time when you faced fear or uncertainty? How did you sense God’s presence (or not) in that season?
The idea of incarnation means God is present in the ordinary and broken places of our lives. Is there a “broken” or “ordinary” place in your life right now where you need to remember that God is with you? What would it look like to invite God into that space?
The sermon challenges us to move beyond the comfort of “stained glass” and serve at the margins. What is one practical step you could take this week to serve someone who is marginalized or in need?
The work of the church is described as “never finished”—it extends beyond the sanctuary. How might our small group, or you personally, become more of a “beacon of God’s light” in our community?
The sermon referenced Leviticus 19’s command to love the “alien” or stranger as yourself. Are there people in your neighborhood, workplace, or city who feel like outsiders? What is one way you could show them love or welcome this month?
The pastor confessed a preference for the “cozy, comfortable, pretty, cleaned up version of the gospel.” Do you relate to this? What is one comfort you might need to let go of in order to follow Jesus more fully into the margins?

Sermon Clips

And as we focus on them, I want to kind of get beyond the stained glass window, if you will. Because in all of the depictions, or all the depictions that I've seen, I should preface, of the holy family look kind of like ours. It's very calm and peaceful. They look happy. They look clean. Joyful, even. It's idyllic, this scene. The star shining down. And Joseph kindly wrapping Mary with a blanket. And even baby Jesus, newly born, looks really happy in our stained glass window. And this is how this scene is portrayed in almost all sacred art likeness. [00:04:53]

But today, I'm going to invite us to dig a little deeper, to go beyond the stained glass window, to think about what was really happening. Because, let's face it, it probably wasn't as beautiful as our stained glass window depicts it. And I want to suggest that what this image is depicting is the incredible vulnerability of this moment. [00:05:37]

God coming in human form, taking on human flesh, and making God's self incredibly vulnerable in this moment. So that's what I want us to focus on, just for the next few moments. And so today, I'm going to give you four ways that I, there are many, but I'm going to focus on only four ways that I believe that this story depicts this intense vulnerability that God's experiencing in this moment. And, and I'm going to make them rhyme for you so that you can remember. So, first way that this vulnerability is so prescient is because of the subjugation of the three individuals we see in our window, the holy family. Subjugation. What do I mean by that? [00:06:01]

They were living under Roman occupation. If you can imagine the United States, if you're a citizen here in the United States, and maybe the United States gets taken over by some foreign country, like, say, Brazil. I don't know. [00:06:55]

And yet, that's the experience of Joseph and Mary and Jesus. Because they are living under Roman occupation, and they're not happy about it. It's not a pleasant situation. [00:07:22]

And so think about the holy family, Joseph, Mary, nine months pregnant, having to travel 80 miles on foot so that they could pay taxes to this occupying Roman king named Caesar Augustus. They're not happy about this trip. This isn't a fun, hey, road trip, let's go to Bethlehem for Christmas break. [00:07:50]

Some of you ladies that have been pregnant, would you have enjoyed walking 80 miles, nine months pregnant? It probably took her a little while, so I'm guessing seven, eight, nine days at least to make that trek. It wasn't pleasant. It was because of subjugation. [00:08:47]

The holy family was subject to the Roman Empire, and it wasn't pleasant, and it was invulnerable. At any given moment, they could be exposed. So... [00:09:04]

to violence from the Roman state. And that's what subjugation means. The second way in which I believe the Holy Family was vulnerable and Jesus himself was vulnerable was because of the trepidation. Subjugation, now trepidation. See, they're not. The trepidation they must have felt. So the wise men came to visit the Holy Family and the wise men went home by another way in order to avoid King Herod. [00:09:14]

And after they left, Joseph is visited in a dream by an angel who says, Joseph, you need to take Mary and your baby and you need to flee to Egypt because Herod wants to kill your baby boy. [00:09:47]

Can you imagine the fear and the anxiety that's swirling around? And so Joseph did exactly as the angel commanded and Joseph took the family and they fled to Egypt as refugees. [00:10:02]

And for me, this gives me a soft spot in my heart for refugees in our world. Today, I've had the privilege on occasion of working with migrants and refugees and beautiful people facing tremendous hardship and they're fleeing. They're fleeing, not for fun, not, hey, let's go to Bethlehem for Christmas break. They're fleeing because of violence from gangs or governments or war. They're fleeing for all these reasons. [00:10:18]

And I wish that a lot of Christian people would take this verse in Leviticus more seriously. In Leviticus 19, chapter 19, verse 33 and 34. For when an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you. You shall love the alien as yourself. For you were aliens in the land of Egypt. And I am the Lord, your God. And oh, wouldn't the world be so much nicer if we kind of lived in to that verse from Leviticus. That's my prayer for our world. [00:10:44]

And now what's perhaps most important is this idea of incarnation. Incarnation. The word literally means in the flesh. Like the word carnal means fleshly. Incarnation means in the flesh. God became flesh. And there's this theological word that preacher types like to throw around. And the word is kenosis. [00:11:33]

And the Apostle Paul teaches us about what happened when God took on human form. And this is in Philippians chapter 2 beginning with verse 5. [00:12:00]

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself. [00:12:11]

Taking the form of a slave being born in human likeness and being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [00:12:28]

And what happened when God took on human form in the form of a small infant boy who was in subjugation and trepidation, when God took on human form, he did so to be in solidarity with us. [00:12:41]

So that he could build this bridge between heaven and earth, between transcendent and imminent. And now, now because of Christ's presence here on earth, Christ's presence is with us. We are no longer separate from God. God with us is what the word Emmanuel means. [00:12:55]

And that is the most mind -boggling, radical, countercultural idea on the planet. And it's taking me a lifetime to understand it. I don't get it yet. Do you? God with us. Pow! [00:13:17]

It happens every time the church gathers. It happens when we receive the sacraments. It happens when we enact some compassion. Christ's presence being revealed through us. There was a song that was popular several years ago. A singer said, God of God was one of us. You remember that song? And I just wanted to take the artist and shake her and say, God is one of us. Right here, right now. Subjugation. Trepidation. Incarnation. Which leads us to the invitation. [00:13:43]

To think about what this incarnation, not only what it meant, but what it means to us now. [00:14:19]

If it's hard for you to see God showing up in your life today, Jesus helps us out in Matthew 25, telling us exactly where we can find his presence. [00:14:38]

Matthew 25, beginning with verse 34. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, come, you that are blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom, prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food. [00:14:48]

I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me. And then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry, and gave you food, or thirsty, and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger, and welcomed you, or naked, and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick, or in prison, and visited you? [00:15:05]

And the king will answer them, And truly, I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. [00:15:34]

If we were to interpret this passage to today, we could say, You found me in the homeless shelter. You found me in the domestic abuse center. You found me in the immigration detention center. These are the places where you'll find me. And when you show me compassion and kindness, You have done this to the least of these. You have done it unto me. And I get it. And I confess, I prefer the cozy, comfortable, pretty, cleaned up version of the gospel that we find in stained glass windows. I do. [00:16:01]

But God calls us to find Christ in the mangers of the world. [00:16:51]

And I suggest that that's exactly where God would call us. The holy lowlies. [00:17:01]

We'll get all the details kind of finished up. And then I think the work that God's calling us to as a congregation is to come together and enjoy the beauty of stained glass and then to get behind them to the margins to where the love of Christ needs to be shown from people who are a beacon of God's light shining into the darkness. [00:17:28]

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