In the United States today, the life and teachings of Jesus are often cited as example, guidance, and justification for government policy and actions. Sometimes overlooked, however, are Jesus’ humble, even desperate, beginnings. At a time when treatment of refugees is a highly charged aspect of our national conversation, we believe there is value in remembering that during his infancy, Jesus and his parents were refugees for a time, driven out of their homeland by the threat of violence from its government. In the spirit of Matthew 25:35, we invite you to consider this poem by Ann Weems:
From Kneeling in Bethlehem: Poetry for Advent and Christmas. © 1985, 1987 Ann Weems. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Refugees by Ann Weems
Into the wild and painful cold of the starless winter night He looked like a man who could take care of whatever Even the stars had been unkind— |
Only the wind and his innate sense of direction … What kind of cruel judgement that would be, He glanced at the young woman, his bride. Oh how the homelessness had taken its toll on her! She’d hardly had time to recover from childbirth Suddenly, the child began to make small noises, Mary, Joseph and the Babe. |