I was reading Luke 2 for Sunday school and was not sure what to do with it. It is history, but its statements are rather bland and generic. It seemed especially so to me since I have grown up on this as a staple of my forty-six Christmastimes. I ponder better as I wander. That means I like to walk and think so I stood up from my computer and headed into the kitchen. Having refilled and warmed my coffee I leaned over the kitchen sink and began cleaning to occupy my hands while my mind wondered.
Modern history in the subject of Aleppo and the Syrian conflict came to mind. That war torn region knows a bitterness I can hardly even imagine. My imaginations can only take on a context in pictures, thoughts and potentially dreams. Of course I don’t want them to become my realities. So this is history in the making. What do I do about it? Do I need to do anything about it? There is not much I can do from my house in Augusta, Georgia to alter Bashar al-Assad or the resistance he has been erasing.
As I sorted things for recycling and put dirty spoons into their dishwasher slots another facet came to mind: refugees. They have taken the clothes on their backs and gone to other places like Jordan. The flow of refugees is so great that many are ending up on the doorsteps of churches and in the lives of Christians.
This presents an opportunity that would never have been present aside from their dire circumstances. Christians providing basic needs to Muslims allows for many to hear of the Christmas story in an important, new and non-oppressive light.
So what is the take-away from this. Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem and a baby was born. That baby was the beginning of a brave new world. On those living in darkness a light has come. This was not a light that the people looked for. It was a light that looked for people.
What can you and I do? The best that we can do is to get alone with our Bibles and to remember what that baby became. Our personal connection to God who wants to be personal will make the only difference in us that is relevant. Once that part is alive, even if it seems to be just the tiniest thing, it will become effective.
Then pray for the people in Aleppo. Pray for the men and women who are tending to their basic needs. Pray that all involved will see God’s grace spreading into their deeds. Ask God to tear down those barriers which have been built up. God hears our prayers and when brought in accordance with his will says a “yes” that outstrips all our imaginations. Ask that God will arrange circumstances so that Christians serving will serve like Christ and have their eyes opened. Ask God to arrange circumstances so that non-Christians being served will have their awareness tweaked, their memories revived and experience the “Aha!” of Jesus Christ. That is the best that can be done.
That is how Bethlehem can reach onto the deserted streets and into the deserted hearts of the people of Aleppo no matter where they are.
Be faithful in praying to God and let God work with al-Assad.
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