At Habitat for Humanity our work is focused around the building of homes and providing families the opportunity to own those homes. A new tagline of ours is, “through shelter, we empower.” I would say that the part of my job that I love the most is when I get to sign deeds of real property over to families who never imagined owning property. Turning over ownership—in a capitalistic culture--that’s truly empowering.
As Christmas approaches, I am taken by the words of a young, very empowered Palestinian woman a couple millennia ago:
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
--Gospel of Luke 1:46-55
Thanks for all you do throughout the year to empower others. May you have a blessed Christmas!