Jesus Is For the Poor

Names and personal details about individuals in this story have been altered for privacy purposes.

This Christmas, we had the great privilege of bringing some of our friends—whom we have been visiting on Sundays for the past two years—to Mass and then to our home for lunch and fellowship. Amaya, along with her friends and family, has shown such a genuine desire to know Jesus and to become Catholic.

When we heard there would be a Mass on Christmas Day in their native language, my husband reached out to see if they would like to go. Their response was an emphatic “YES.” Despite their unbelievably difficult living situation—no running water, no washing machine, no personal bathroom—they each dressed so beautifully in their very best clothes and joined us for Mass and lunch at our home.

Their joy was contagious, and I felt deeply honored to have Jesus in our home in this particular way on Christmas Day. I kept telling my boys, “Who are we that we get to have JESUS in our living room?!”

“Jesus Christ wished to be poor, so that we might never be ashamed of loving the poor.” -St. Vincent de Paul

When I reflect on the very first Christmas, my thoughts often turn to Mary. She had traveled miles to Bethlehem, heavy with child, arriving on the brink of giving birth—only to find no suitable place to welcome the Son of God into the world. I can imagine her doing what mothers have always done: making the best of what she had, trying to bring a bit of order and tenderness to a rough, dirty stable even as labor pains intensified.

Surely there must have been moments of worry and fear, knowing her child would be born into such humble conditions. And yet, just before the birth—like mothers throughout time—there comes that moment of complete surrender. Mary, too, accepted her surroundings, released control, and placed her trust fully in God. In that surrender, heaven met earth.

“The Son of God, because He loved us, became poor and chose to be born in poverty.” -St. Alphonsus Liguori

Jesus’ very first visitors as a baby were poor shepherds. Jesus is for the poor, the downtrodden, the lonely, the forgotten, the ashamed, and those viewed as untouchable. Like Mary, I do not always understand God’s plan. I, too, have many questions, worries, and doubts. But I deeply desire to surrender to Him, as Mary did, even in the midst of difficulties.

I imagine many of you are carrying heavy crosses this Christmas season. Please know that we are praying for each of you and are so grateful for your constant support and encouragement.