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We know the precious story of a starlit night, a stable, shepherds, and fluffy sheep. We can picture the sweet Baby Jesus asleep in a manger.
Fast forward a couple of years. The newborn is now a toddler wrapped in his mother’s embrace as he and his parents flee possible death. We don’t write books or sing many songs about this story. No sweetness is found in the shedding of innocents’ blood. Rushed departure. No angels singing. No bright starlit night. I believe this Middle Eastern family’s flight was made under the shadow of angels’ wings.
Today refugee families again are fleeing death. I hear many creative ways to justify not receiving these refugees. I am offended that we celebrate the birth of Peace on Earth while watching people die as they flee their countries.
In Luke 10: 24-34, one who sought to justify himself asked the question “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus’ answer was so brilliant it stuck for millennia and falls into our laps as a Christmas present: Everyone is our neighbor.
This message is excerpted from “Why do we celebrate Christmas?” by Inez Torres Davis from the December 24, 2015, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today is the First Sunday after Christmas. Today we commemorate the Holy Innocents, martyrs.