Here is the Christmas story come to life in our world today.
How could we miss God, the creator of the universe, the one who made us out of dust and breath, coming into the world?
In my humble opinion, here’s how.
A baby was born on a rescue ship among hundreds of refugees who had been sinking on a rubber dinghy in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.
The baby, his mother, and his fellow travelers were from Guinea, a place Donald Trump called a “shithole country” and, by that logic, a people who are “pieces of shit.”
The baby was named Ali.
Unknown.
Unwanted.
Except by his mom and dad, a small boat full to the brim with migrants seeking a better life, and aid workers along the Italian coast.
And God.
Floating in a sea of indifference and hatred.
The gospels of Matthew and Luke tell a story of another baby who was from a “shithole country.”
The baby was named Jesus.
Unknown.
Unwanted.
Except by his mom and dad, an angel band, some shepherds, some foreigners from the East, and an overworked inkeeper in Bethlehem.
And God.
In this advent season, please remember, these two babies are not “pieces of shit.”
The Herods and Caesars of the world would have us think so.
They’re not.
They’re worth more than all of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh the world can produce and possess.
A baby like Ali could become the person who cures Alzheimer’s Disease, solves the climate crisis, makes peace among warring nations in the world, becomes someone’s friend.
Jesus came to save the world.
And us.
Both Ali and Jesus have a place in the stable and manger, in the welcoming country, of my heart.
How about yours?
May it be so.
Amen.
https://www.npr.org/2022/12/09/1141969832/a-baby-born-on-a-migrant-rescue-boat-and-his-mother-were-allowed-into-italy
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