As a pastor who lives in a state that is home to as many as 84,000 people who are of Somalia descent, hearing our president call them “garbage” goes beyond disheartening.

In fact, it’s immoral and can in no certain terms be likened to how Jesus lived his life, nor what he preached to his followers. In the 1st century, or now. … And it’s important as people of faith for us to say so.

This controversy has raged for more than a week now. But for people who proclaim to be followers of Jesus, there is no basis for this hateful speech in Christianity, nor in general civil discourse, frankly.

But here we are. … So what, as faithful people, do we do with this brouhaha?

Sure, we can take to our social media platforms and denounce such hurtful speech, especially by those who hold elected office.

But I would suggest that more importantly we take this as an opportunity for action!

Furthermore, I would suggest that this is a perfect opportunity for us to actually demonstrate what Jesus would. And that is to wrap our arms around our Somali neighbor; share with them that we love them as the beautifully created humans they are; and then ask how we can be better neighbors.

But let’s not stop there!

This is a bold opportunity for our communities of faith to reach out to whatever neighbor who may be reeling from the hurtful progression of hate speech in our country as of late.

Yes, if you know you have Somalian neighbors reach out to them! But then also reach out to the other neighbors in your community who also are feeling marginalized, belittled and demeaned. I guarantee you that there are a lot!

Friends … what better way is there to celebrate Advent, the very time when we are preparing ourselves for Christ’s coming, than to actually be Jesus’ hands and feet! … Right here! Right now!

Those who believe boorish and inhumane behavior is acceptable won’t be changed by your keyboard cleverness.

But, I am certain that if you turn your rage over this injustice into action, your Somalian and other neighbors of color will absolutely benefit from your kindness, your decency and your support!

Encourage your faith community to be their neighbor in every sense of the word!

Get out of your place of worship; seek out your neighbors; tell them that not all Christians believe and speak this way; make an invitation to break bread with them; and ultimately ask how your faith community can be more supportive of them.

This is what it means to go into the mission field! This is what Jesus did, and it would serve us well in this Advent period to be like Jesus! Amen!

Devlyn Brooks is the CEO of Churches United in Moorhead, Minn., and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.