A meme winds its way around social media. A black-and-white illustration reveals animals in a manger, surrounded by trees. A lone star shines above. The caption reads: “A nativity scene without Jews, Arabs, Africans or refugees.”
Perhaps it would be poignant, if it weren’t so cutting. Perhaps it would be comical, if it weren’t so timely.
It reminds me of the ancient teaching from Deuteronomy (See 10:12-19) which invites reflection on how to express God’s love. We’re instructed to:
. . . revere the Lord your God, to walk in all God’s ways, to love God, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep God’s commandments and decrees.
We’re urged to follow God’s laws. And in so doing, to open our hearts, not only to God, but to all others, too. The text continues:
Cut away, then, the barrier around your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer.
We’re urged to consider how our hearts may be hardened and whether we’re hanging onto an old prejudice we haven’t completely released.
We’re invited to remember:
God, mighty and awesome, executes justice for the orphan and widow, and loves strangers [also translated as immigrants], and provides them food and clothing. You also shall love the stranger, for you were once strangers in a foreign land.
The truth is: At least once in our lives, we’ve all been strangers somewhere. As we reflect on how powerful God’s unconditionally loving, infinitely compassionate presence is, we also can remember that once we felt hungry, tired, cold, hurt, lost, afraid or alone.
We also can remember that God’s loving presence appeared — in its own way — with skin on. When we felt the presence of love in a blanket, a hug, a prayer, a phone call, gas money, a ride to the doctor, help getting up the ladder or down from the cliff. When someone, sometimes a stranger, changed our flat tire in the rain, paid for our dinner, or gave us a gift we never could purchase ourselves. With no strings attached.
These days, headlines would have us believe that it’s Us versus Them. That we better steel ourselves with weapons, behind closed doors, because the world is a dangerous place. If we believe some of the headlines, any stranger or immigrant in our midst could be a threat. Though whoever the stranger is, s/he also is a divine child of God.
The child to be born in Bethlehem knew how to open his heart. He studied God’s law. He knew how to love unconditionally. Sometimes, we may struggle to imagine how he did it, when we know the challenges and conflicts he faced.
Still, we can remember: The teachings don’t say we have to understand others. Or like them. They tell us to love.
The child to be born in Bethlehem, enfolded in love, will teach his followers (see Luke 10:27):
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
Love like that isn’t for the faint-hearted. Love like that takes all the heart we have. And the presence of that love is the greatest gift we can give — no matter what the season.
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Habari Gani, and Happy New Year, Blessed Readers. Thank you for being with me on the journey.
© 2016 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks. All rights reserved.
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