In a land where Christ himself walked, war is pushing millions of people from their homes. Twelve million Syrians have been forced out in the worst refugee crisis since World War II. They are trekking across oceans and deserts to not just seek a better life, but to try to save their lives from a war that has destroyed their homes and taken away their livelihoods. With little hope of returning home anytime in the near future, they are seeking the safety and protection of foreign lands.
This journey that millions of refugees endure today is not unfamiliar to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus was born during a time of intense turmoil, political conflict, mistrust, and fear into poverty and suffering. When King Herod heard the news that a little baby boy was to be born king of the Jews, he was “disturbed.” (Matthew 2:3). Afraid of a little baby boy, he issued an edict that all boys under the age of two were to be killed in Bethlehem and its vicinity (Matthew 2:16). Mary and Joseph had to flee with their little baby boy into Egypt to save his life.
Imagine how Mary and Joseph felt as they had to flee to Egypt for the safety of their child, Jesus. A mother and father had to make a quick decision in order to save the life of their baby boy. There were probably a million questions running through their minds: Where would they stay? Could they speak the language? How long would they stay there? What could they do to support their child? But perhaps most importantly, would they be welcomed?
Would we welcome a persecuted Jew from the Middle East today?
We have much to be afraid of in this world. But when an angel spoke to the shepherds in Luke 2:10 announcing the birth of Jesus, the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” The shepherds were afraid, yet the angel reminds them that Jesus’ birth is indeed good news and is supposed to bring joy to all those who hear it. Jesus did not just come to save the Jews, but the Gentiles, the Greek, the Samaritan, and “all the people.” The Gospel is not bound by nations or cultures but can transform lives all over the world.
As we seek to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus, we remember that Jesus constantly communed with the disenfranchised, the weak and powerless, the poor and the marginalized, people whom society deemed unworthy and beyond the reach of grace. But Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25 that when we welcome the stranger, we are welcoming him. In fact, the journey that many refugees find themselves on is reminder of the journey we take every day as followers of Christ. We are all exiled from God, and it’s through Jesus, our advocate, that we can be reconciled back to him. We show mercy to others because we are reminded of God’s abundant mercy to us.
During this season of Advent as we eagerly await the birth of our Savior, we desire “peace on earth and goodwill to men” because there is hope in the birth of Jesus that he is making all things new and reconciling all things to himself. The church has a decision to make at this moment in history. We can open our arms wide to those fleeing violence and war, or turn our backs on some of the most vulnerable as the rest of the world may do. The church has an incredible opportunity to respond not to what’s easy or comfortable but to what’s true and right. To fuel love despite the fear and hope despite despair. To demonstrate to the world that a radical hospitality lived out in the church is indeed good news for all the people.
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