On a whim…

Christmas does not arrive in triumph.
It arrives in peril.

A child born to frightened parents.
A promise given without guarantees.
Power revealed not in taking, but in bearing.

Tonight, the world still trembles under lies told for safety’s sake.
Still mistakes strength for domination.
Still prefers what can be seized to what must be received.

And yet—
God comes anyway.
Unarmed.
Truthful.
Willing to carry what we cannot.

This is the joy of Christmas.
Not loud.
Not sentimental.
But faithful.

May we receive it in truth.