Inspire

Devotion

Christmas Refugees

“It’s definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. This was my first thought as I joyfully watched the Reception Christmas Concert last week. At my home over the weekend, it was time to spray for spiders before putting up the Christmas lights, put up the Christmas tree (7 years old wire and plastic version for us, which still probably has at least 3 more years in it), and wrap gifts in a mixture of old and new wrapping paper stored in the back of the cupboard.

My mind wandered, in all my preparations, to the townships along the Murray River this summer. Having grown up in the Riverland, I know many families who have been preparing for the worst - moving out their belongings from much loved businesses, homes, or holiday homes. A place to store the Christmas tree and old wrapping paper is the least of their worries, but nonetheless, it’s there as Christmas approaches as constantly as the rising waters of the river. Where will they be for Christmas? And whilst safely moved away from the rising waters, what condition will their home be in when they can next enter it?

Thinking more globally, there are many refugees around the world who struggle with even greater fears. For many, there is no longer a safe place to return.

After the birth of Jesus, an order came from the king to kill the child Jesus, a move by Herod to retain power, and the family fled in the night to live in Egypt for a time. Jesus’ earliest years under the care of Mary and Joseph, were those of a refugee.

My gratitude right now in knowing this, is that Jesus knows. He grew up knowing what it was to be human: to hurt, to feel joy, to be homeless, and to find refuge with others. My prayer for those who are having to find refuge this Christmas is that they will know the presence of Jesus, who fully understands their grief, their uncertainty and their powerlessness as they flee from war or persecution, or as they flee from the steadily rising waters of the mighty Murray.

May you all know the comfort and blessing of our Saviour Jesus this Christmas.

 

Submitted by Leila Mattner