"This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was
pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to
be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to
the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind
to divorce her quietly." (Matthew 1:18-19, NIV2)
The Christmas story is far from being a story of peace and rejoicing. We have
discovered that there was no room for Jesus at His birth and that Herod tried to
exterminate baby Jesus early on. Today we find out that Joseph, who pledged to
marry Mary, didn't believe how Mary became pregnant. At least he didn't want her
stoned as it was the custom for infidelity, but still he had decided to get rid
of her. Ouch! That sure must have hurt Mary. Not only did he not believe her, he
wanted her away!
But then, Christmas now-a-days is also not a day of rejoicing for many of us,
for many spend Christmas all alone. No one invites us! We guess we are on the
unwanted list. Maybe there is even a price on our heads!
We may feel like the Jews living in Germany and Austria when Hitler rose to
power. It is true that these Jews had it far worse than any of us! Early on the
Jews started to lose many of their rights. They were banned from trams, from
swimming in the public swimming pool, and even their bikes were confiscated. In
addition, they were all forced to wear a yellow star that brought insults from
any Nazis encountering them.
No wonder half of the Jews from Germany and Austria ran away from their
homeland! They were not only totally rejected, they were ridiculed as well. Who
knows what would happen to them next! Their purpose was to find a safe haven.
Many tried to be escape to either North or South America to get as far away as
possible from this nightmare. Most never realized their dreams, as obtaining a
visa for so many was quite difficult. No one was there to defend them!
Some tried to hide themselves from the scrutiny of Hitler's fanatics, like the
Franks. When they heard reports about the deportation of Jews to forced labour
camps in Germany, they decided to hide. If they could not escape from the Nazis,
why not hide under their very noses!
On Monday, July 6th, 1942, they moved to their hiding place at Prinsengracht 263
in Amsterdam with the Van Pels. Wearing as many clothes as possible and carrying
two heavy backpacks each, they entered the upper floors at the back of the
building. Here they would hide for more than two years before they were
denounced and arrested by the Nazis. For two years they couldn't go outside, and
for two years they had to try to make as little noise as possible. Two years
where each day was another threat!
They are the ones who truly experienced total rejection. Can you imagine not
only being rejected, but to be so hated that most people would prefer to see you
dead?
Anyone who feels completely rejected during the upcoming Christmas season will
understand. Maybe it's time for us to review the original story of Christmas,
for it contains large amounts of rejection and persecution.
But the good news is, it also contains hope. Christmas, after all, is a story of
hope. The Son of the Most High left His kingdom behind for the sole purpose of
coming to Earth to bring us hope. We had erred and lost our way. He came to lead
us back to God, who is not a God of rejection, but a God of genuine love. And He
sure loves us! His arrival was a direct proof that God was not the One who
rejected us. He would do anything for us to feel His genuine love.
The Franks, too, had hope. Hope to survive their ordeal, hope that their love
towards each other would be enough to endure their isolation.
Our hope through the Christmas story is real. Though rejected and ridiculed, and
chased for the only purpose of extermination, Jesus came for us. That's how much
He loves us.
You may feel alone during Christmas day, but truly you are not. The One who
truly loves you is with you and will never, ever abandon you. "Lo, I am with you
always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20b, KJV)
For those of us who are fortunate enough to celebrate this special day with
others, let's remember those who are less privileged than we are. After all
Jesus did not come to our planet to be glorified, but He freely gave up all His
rights to bring us hope.
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7, KJV)
Rob Chaffart
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