12/20/2025
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At the age of two Jesus’ parents became refugees and fled the political violence in Israel that would have killed him, across a border into another country (Egypt). Do we stop and think what that would look like today? Who would they be? Who would help them, hide them, despise them, turn them in?
Who are we in this story? Are we the Roman citizens that say, “they broke the law” and shrug as we feast in our warm safe homes? Are we the religious community that despises them because Mary conceived out of wedlock and therefore are not deserving of our help or God’s protection?
Later as an adult during His ministry Jesus made it abundantly clear:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Search your heart this Christmas. If there isn’t compassion for immigrants, refugees or the poor in your heart, Jesus isn’t there either.