“Give me your hand”. This is the title for the 3rd week of advent, chosen by the Sanctified Art team.

“Give me your hand”.

Maybe Joseph spoke those words to Mary after he had the dream and decided to marry her, come what may.

Maybe Mary said “Give me your hand”, and then placed it on her belly so he could feel the child moving inside her.

Maybe Joseph said, “Give me your hand”, as he helped her down from the donkey and into the stable.

Maybe Mary said “Give me your hand”, when she felt the first pains of birth and missed her mom back home.

Joseph could have withdrawn from his marriage to Mary. But instead, he stepped close. “Give me your hand, Mary”. You don’t have to go through this alone.

Boyung Lee in her Sanctified Art commentary called this a “theology of proximity”, which redefines faithfulness from following rules to drawing near to those who are vulnerable. Faithfulness risks joining those who are at risk. It means being vulnerable, and risking letting people draw near to us. Even when that feels scary to do so.

Fear usually isolates us, but a theology of proximity imagines fear leading into deeper connection. “Give me your hand” is that movement towards greater proximity.

Can we reach out when fear makes us feel isolated, while honoring our own comfort level with vulnerability? How can we offer support to one another, while honoring the different comfort levels we each have with vulnerability.

A theology of proximity is not just an act of pastoral care but of prophetic responsibility: Joseph moved through his fears to stand in solidarity with Mary, and in so doing, shielded her from some of the danger of being a pregnant woman, unwed. His choice to marry her protected her from being stoned and protected her unborn child from danger.

There are people in our communities today who, like Mary, carry something sacred and heavy— something that puts them at risk. There are others, like Joseph, who hold more security, more safety, more voice.

How can we, like Joseph, use our presence, power and privilege to stand in solidarity with people whose lives are at risk? How can we move through our fear and into connection?