December 21

Our belonging is secured in the stories and relationships we live and practice. One of the reasons rational conversation does not work to convert someone from a small fear-based story to a liberative and interdependent story is because what is at stake is not knowledge or even belief but belonging. Fear is at the root of so many of the enslaving paradigms that shape our stories and relationships, and therefore the power of our sense belonging.

In this Advent text, Joseph is living into a story and relational framework shaped by the laws of his place and time and so “believes” he must divorce Mary when she is pregnant and not by him. Following the law and divorcing Mary is not just about being righteous, if Joseph does not, he could be exiled from the community to which he belongs. However, an angel intervenes and begins with “do not be afraid.” And Joseph starts to allow his story to be remade in more liberatory ways that confirm not only his interdependence with Mary (made excruciatingly vulnerable by her pregnancy) but also with all those who will be impacted by this child’s life. The proclamation from the angel, “Do not be afraid!” is one we must all consider as we seek to live into stories of freedom and abolition that shape our belonging away from systems and structures that keep small and separate, toward expansive and interconnected collective liberation.

Prayer

God of liberating stories and flourishing relationships,
free us from fear so that we may embrace
every good thing that is possible in this world. Amen.