The Holiness of Hidden Work

tonytangebirah
6 days ago
4 min read

Happy New Year, friends.

Yesterday, as the world welcomed a new year with fireworks and celebrations, the Church invited us into something quieter — the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

It is a feast that draws our gaze not to spectacle, but to mystery. Not to acclaim, but to faithfulness.

Mary, the Theotokos — the God-bearer — brought the Son of God into the world not in a palace, but in a cave.

And she did not do so alone. Joseph was there — steady, silent, protective — sharing the weight of uncertainty, responsibility, and trust.

Together, they welcomed the Savior while the world slept, unaware that history had changed.

No crowds gathered. No one applauded. Heaven rejoiced — but earth barely noticed.

The Unapplauded Beginning of Salvation

This moment stands entirely on its own.

No life can compare to that of the Mother of God, and no labour can equal her unique role in salvation history. Yet, while incomparable, her hiddenness reveals something deeply human.

God chose to enter the world through obscurity.

The greatest work ever entrusted to humanity unfolded without recognition, affirmation, or reward.

Mary’s “yes” and Joseph’s faithful guardianship were not accompanied by understanding or praise — only trust.

And this is where the reflection begins — not in comparison, but in invitation.

The Quiet Reality of Unnoticed Labour

Much of what shapes our lives happens quietly.

Class in session at the Vi Tha Khar Nunnery Orphanage in Myanmar for girls and young women.

Parents loving faithfully. Caregivers persevering. Teachers forming hearts. Volunteers showing up. Workers doing what is right when no one is watching. People carrying responsibilities others will never fully see or understand.

This is not about greatness in scale, but faithfulness in spirit.

Like Mary and Joseph, many labour not because it is seen, but because it is necessary. Not because it is acknowledged, but because love demands it.

And often, this labour unfolds in silence.

The Purity of Serving Without Applause

There is a mysterious grace in unnoticed work.

If every effort were noticed, we might begin to serve for affirmation rather than love.

But when work remains hidden, it purifies intention. It becomes an offering — not to public approval, but to God.

Mary did not labour with resentment. Joseph did not serve with bitterness. They did not ask why this moment lacked recognition.

They trusted that God saw — and that was enough.

Their example reminds us that unseen faithfulness is not wasted. It is formative. It shapes the soul.

The Blessing of Humility

There is a prayer many struggle to sincerely pray, including myself — The Litany of Humility.

It asks for freedom from the desire to be praised, preferred, or approved, and ends with the haunting petition:

That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Living this prayer is far harder than reciting it.

Yet when we carry out the unnoticed tasks of daily life with care, patience, and love, we are not merely praying these words — we are embodying them.

Humility, after all, is not thinking less of ourselves. It is trusting that our worth does not depend on being seen.

A Gift of Sight

As we step into a new year, perhaps the invitation is twofold.

First, to notice others — to intentionally see and affirm those whose faithfulness often goes unnamed.

Second, to receive our own hidden efforts as a gift, trusting that even when others do not see, God does.

Mary and Joseph remind us that light often enters the world quietly. That salvation begins in obscurity. And that love does its deepest work in silence.

When the night feels heavy, when the labour feels unseen, look up — as they once did — and trust that the Light is already present.

At Gebirah, our mission is rooted in this same conviction: that unseen faithfulness matters, and that quiet service can transform lives and communities.

As we continue to bring aid to those on the margins of society with compassion, we invite partners, collaborators and volunteers who may be interested to support us in expanding our reach and intensifying our impact.

If you feel inclined, please like, share or comment, connect and follow me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-tan-c-g/

I love hearing your thoughts.

We warmly invite partners, collaborators, and volunteers to join us in supporting the logistics and other operational needs involved in our missions and outreach initiatives by purchasing a seat or a table at CHARIS Gala dinner through GEBIRAH.

If for any reason you choose to purchase from CHARIS for GEBIRAH, or make a donation to GEBIRAH through CHARIS, please state clearly that the purchase or donation is intended for GEBIRAH.