A Humble Birth and a Call to Give

Tammy Marino of Unbound reflects on how the birth of Jesus shapes how Catholics care for the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized. 

Lights, presents, time with family — these are often among the highlights of our holiday memories. But when one digs just a bit deeper, the story of Jesus’ birth is not one of comfort or privilege. Rather, it is a story marked by poverty and displacement and serves as a reminder of God’s special ties to the poor.  

The Nativity calls the faithful to extend our love and care to those who are vulnerable in our communities and around the world. 

From the Manger to His Mission

Beyond the humble circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus, his solidarity with the poor is seen throughout his public ministry.  

In the Gospel of Luke, we learn,

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.” (Luke 6:20-21)

And in Jesus’s description of the final judgment, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says,

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25: 35-36)

It is clear that Jesus is calling upon all of us to care for the vulnerable and marginalized, and it is further emphasized in Matthew 25:40 when He says, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” 

Pope Leo's Thoughts on the Poor

Pope Leo XIV has often spoken of the importance and impact of our relationship with the poor. In his Dilexi Te, he says,

This is not a matter of mere human kindness but a revelation: contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history. In the poor, he continues to speak to us. 

Many may be surprised to learn that as of 2024, 839 million people lived in extreme poverty, living on less than $3 per person per day. For many of us, this is unimaginable. But with the right combination of hope, support, goal setting and opportunity, individuals, families and communities are taking action and charting their paths out of poverty. 

There are so many ways to encounter God by lending time, talent and treasure to people facing the struggles that poverty brings. At Unbound, we believe the smartest path out of poverty is a self-directed one, which is why our teams around the world listen to and partner with families as they develop personalized plans and goals based on their unique challenges, needs and skillsets. 

In addition to offering the opportunity to connect with a child, youth or elder and their families through one-to-one sponsorship, donors can opt to support other life-changing initiatives including the Unbound Scholarship Program, which helps students pursue education; Agents of Change grants, which fund small-scale local solutions that positively impact communities; the Critical Needs Fund, which allows our teams to respond quickly to catastrophic events such as natural disasters. 

Giving Through Hardship

Van Nguyen is a Long Island, New York resident, realtor, and four-year Unbound sponsor who has learned firsthand the privilege of walking alongside children and their families as they plan and work toward their paths out of poverty.  

She feels a special kind of joy every time she receives a photo or letter from the children she has connected with through sponsorship. Currently supporting eight children, ages 11-22, in Guatemala, Honduras and the Philippines, Van knows it can be difficult to give but believes that challenge can make it even more meaningful. 

“Even when I lost my job, I couldn’t say no to sponsoring more children,” Van said. “I just tighten my belt and make it work because I know that a little bit of money each month means access to education, and that is key to breaking the cycle of poverty.” 

From the manger to his final teachings, Jesus was not only born among the poor but remained in solidarity with them. We are called to do the same. Pope Leo said in his Dilexi Te,

The poor cannot be neglected if we are to remain within the great current of the Church’s life that has its source in the Gospel and bears fruit in every time and place. 

This holiday season, as we enjoy all the joy and wonder that surround us each Christmas, take a moment to reflect and find a way to walk alongside those who are not only in need of our support, but who can also teach us so much about perseverance, resilience, and deep and abiding faith. A blessed and merry Christmas to all. 

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Copyright 2025 Tammy Marino for Unbound
Images: copyright 2025 Unbound, all rights reserved.