Throughout Advent, we have embraced the spirit of waiting and expectation. Now Christmas has come, and we embrace a season of joy, love, and wonder. He is here! Families come together, hearts open, and the air buzzes with anticipation. He is here! Our savior has been born!
This year, as I've immersed myself in the beautiful Christmas season, a beautiful lesson has floated above the laughter with family, the smell of fresh-baked food, and beautiful masses. It's a lesson I thought I'd share since I believe it will resonate deeply with conservatives, Christians, and Catholics alike.
This baby, born in a simple stable, came into the world not with splendor but with gentleness. He wasn't the conquering king everyone expected, but a small, vulnerable child. His arrival is a reminder that God can use the smallest and seemingly weakest things for His greater purpose. When we envision a world that is more aligned with truth than the one we currently inhabit, we might feel helpless to participate in bringing it about. But we can participate with the parts of ourselves that are small and frail yet full of hope.
Christmas is about expectations and belief
As we enter the Christmas season, it's essential we consider our expectations.
Two thousand years ago, the world awaited a Messiah who would wield power and authority to vanquish enemies. The Israelites expected a King. Instead, the Savior arrived in poverty and vulnerability.
Did God ignore their needs and desires? Of course not. It's easy for us to say that because we have the advantage of knowing the whole story of Christ's life. To confidently say the same in our own lives can be challenging. But if we believe in the promise of Christmas, then we believe in God's ability to hide greatness away in the humble, small, and overlooked.
In other words, we believe in God's ability to fulfill our expectations in the unexpected.

We must ask ourselves whether we are stuck in rigid ideas of what solutions should look like. Are we open to embracing the unconventional, the frail, and the understated?
An example that's been relevant in my life is creativity. For many years I overlooked my creative interests and talents as unrelated to the change I wanted to create in the world politically. God showed me that was a mistake.
Creativity is a potent tool for expressing our deepest truths. While people may overlook the impact of art and literature, these mediums can resonate powerfully.
Engaging in the creative process allows us to partner with something greater than ourselves. When we write, paint, or create, we become instruments of grace. Although we may not see immediate results, our efforts—much like Christ's birth—can transform lives when cultivated to grow and mature. Sharing our stories and ideas can lead to movements that ultimately change hearts and minds. Even the smallest contributions can serve as catalysts for significant change in God's plan.
Christmas reminds me that believing in God means believing that the little writing or poetry or art I offer Him (my "babies" if you will) might be exactly what He wants to use to change the world. By fostering a space where vulnerability is welcomed, we enable each person's story to enrich the shared narrative, weaving together love, struggle, and triumph.
A Merry Christmas to All
As we gather with loved ones this Christmas season, let us fully embrace the heart of expectation that accompanies this time. The birth of Christ—a small, frail child destined for greatness—should inspire us to recognize the power of our creative expressions.
May this season remind each of us that we serve a God who subverts all convention. He loves to deliver expectations through unexpected means. Just as salvation came through a baby in Bethlehem, the little you have to offer our Lord might be exactly what the world needs.
Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas! Let this time be filled with hope, and may you strive to create and inspire in the coming year. Greatness awaits us all—if we only dare to believe.
About the author
LyLena D. Estabine is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist holding a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Harvard University, where she converted to Catholicism. Writing on her faith and Catholic social teaching, she regularly publishes short poems on her Instagram (@catholicpoems). Her poems have been published in various literary journals such as the Clayjar Review, As Surely As the Sun Lit, Heart of Flesh Literary, and the Catholic Poetry Room. She is the founder of Voice & Virtue (@voicexvirtue), a literary journal and press for conservative, Christian, and Catholic art.
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