When I started to write this article for the December Connection newsletter, I had just wished my close friend Sharef a happy birthday….thanking God that Sharef was still alive amidst all the carnage in Gaza. Kind of hard to have a “happy” birthday when one is in a war zone. There is no peace there for sure…
I think of Jesus’ birth. We have pictures in our minds of the peaceful manger scene. It even looks so serene in our yearly Christmas Eve pageant. The fact is, we know it was not peaceful. Giving birth is never peaceful.
Of course, there is nothing peaceful and serene about the Holy Land this month, with violence in Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon, and threats from Iran. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians are suffering. Our own government is deeply entangled in the conflict, and as much as we might want to distance ourselves from the violence, we can’t.
We are meant to be joyous at Christmas, both culturally and theologically, glad tidings and great joy, for a child is born in Bethlehem, a Savior, and besides, there will be gifts and egg nog and Christmas trees and colorful lights and all manner of festivity. But if we read the scripture, after Jesus’ birth, we soon read that portion of the gospel of Matthew in which King Herod the Great orders the slaughter of all the boys under two years old. We read the story of Mary and Joseph and Jesus fleeing as refugees, crossing the border into Egypt for the safety of their family.
Christmas is not less Christmas-y for us because times are scary. Our world is so very far from perfect, but we must remember that a perfect world would not need a Savior. The world has always been a hard place ever since Satan fell from Heaven to Earth and took over. Jesus, revolutionary son of God and teacher of radical love, was born in times that were very hard in their own ways. We must remember that God’s timing is perfect, and because our lives are part of God’s plan, we must remember that God has planned us to be alive at this time. We ALL have a part in God’s plan. Do you know what your part is?
I am reminded of Esther 4:14 in the Bible:
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther was reluctant, but she trusted that God sovereignly put her in that position at that time to do what needed to be done. This tested her faith, and God was working all things for good in her situation. We are all here at this time according to God’s plan. Let us remember that no matter what is going on in this world, or our own little corner of the world, that God calls us to spread the Gospel, and spread love. This Christmas, spread love. The world needs it and we need to do our part.
I love you all! Have a wonderful Christmas!
It is good to be your pastor!
In The Lord’s service till the last fish is caught, <><
Pastor Chris
