Restore: A Christmas Story

What labels might we attach to the infant Jesus? The Christchild?  The Light of the World? The Prince of Peace? The Messiah? The epicentre of the Christmas story?

Early in Jesus’ life, he was at such great risk, along with the whole plan of salvation, that an angel appeared to his father, Joseph, in a dream.  That message warned Joseph and Mary that as King Herod was intent on killing Jesus who he saw as a threat to his kingdom, they must leave immediately.  What went through their  minds in the darkness of that night?  Fear?  Panic? Terror? A temptation to wait until morning and make more preparations? But there wasn’t time to wait, the risk was too high.  They didn’t hang around, they fled!

They went to Egypt, a country that historically persecuted their ancestors.  Yet, that was deemed a better option, a safer option, than staying in Bethlehem or moving to another part of their own country.  All because Herod was intent on killing Jesus.

Today, we can easily see that there was ‘a well-founded fear of persecution’, which is a crucial part of the definition of a refugee as enshrined in in the 1951 Refugee Convention on Refugees.  Jesus, the Messiah, Immanuel – God with us, was a refugee.

Like 69% of the world’s 43.4 million refugees today, (UNHCR figures for mid-June 2024), they fled to a neighbouring country for safety.  Had they travelled further and ended up crammed into a small, inadequate boat crossing the Channel….. what labels would we give them?  Asylum seeker?  Illegal migrant? Unwelcome?  To be sent back? But, to quote, Warsan Shire’s powerful poem ‘Home’:  “No-one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark…..No-one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land.”

Or as this is Jesus, Joseph and Mary, would we make an exception because we know the back story?  “Of course we believe you, you’re welcome and we’ll give you refugee protection.” Regarding others, should we hear their back story too?

At his most vulnerable, Jesus, and his parents, needed protection, a safer place.  Is Britain a safer place for refugees?  Would those languishing in the asylum process for months or years agree?  Would those attached during the racist, xenophobic, Islamophobic far-right riots in the summer agree?

At the heart of the Christmas story, even in the emergency journey to Egypt, there is hope. They did escape and they found safety.  Later, and we don’t know how many years later, they returned home.  The Light of the World was not extinguished.  The plan of salvation and the coming of God’s kingdom remained on track.

What do we think about labels that may be given to us, like ‘elderly’, ‘chronically ill’, ‘liberal’, ‘conversative’, ‘evangelical’, ‘low church’, ‘high church’, ‘ethnic minority’, ‘poor’…… ?   Do they give a complete and accurate view of who we are?  Do they diminish us? Do they box us in?

What about our responses to people who get labelled in our society today? The bottom line is: we are all created in the image of God.  Later in his ministry, Jesus called his followers to feed the hungry…. look after the sick…. welcome the stranger……

What about our response as a nation?  Rising refugee numbers is a global challenge that needs a global response and the UK needs to part of that response. There is some good news. We are relieved that the Rwanda Plan has been scrapped and that the Bibby Stokholm barge will soon close.  Should we be encouraged that the rhetoric has changed from ‘Stop the boats’ to ‘Smash the gangs’?  A key question remains: will the UK return to offering safe routes to some refugees as we did for Syrians, Afghans and Ukrainians? A policy that could also reduce life-threatening Channel crossings.  And what about further international diplomacy to resolve conflicts and challenge oppression and persecution?  We also need to support the work of the UN refugee agency in countries like South Sudan, Lebanon, Columbia, Turkey, and Iran who host millions of the world’s 43.4 million refugees (UNHCR figures for mid-June 2024).

What does ‘welcome the stranger’ mean for us today? What is our response in Birmingham as a City of Sanctuary?  Do we leave asylum seekers to wallow in a broken system or do we offer welcome? Restore is one of many groups offering welcome to refugees and asylum seekers. Restore’s befriending scheme enables us to see beyond the labels and helps us to get to know them as people and enables them to know us. What is the impact?

One befriended refugee wrote,” I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful befriender you introduced me to. As an Arab refugee in the UK who initially struggled with the English language, having her support and friendship has made a significant difference in my life. Her kindness, patience, and guidance have helped me navigate this new environment and feel more at home. I have made progress in learning English and feel more confident thanks to her encouragement. Your work is truly making a positive impact.”

A volunteer befriender wrote, “This is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. It is a real privilege to be alongside and get to know someone as they seek to build a new life for themselves in the UK. I am constantly impressed with his courage and determination. I don’t think I realised how many challenges face asylum seekers. Every time progress is made, there then seems to be another fresh set of problems and challenges to overcome.“

As we celebrate the joy of the birth of Jesus this Christmas, let’s also remember the persecution he faced as an infant and reflect on and respond to those fleeing persecution today.

For more information about Restore’s work: www.restore-uk.org 

For information about Restore’s future training courses for new befrienders: https://www.restore-uk.org/news/restore-training-course-2025/

To donate to Restore’s work: https://wonderful.org/pay?ref=243931

To read the full text of Warsan Shire’s powerful poem ‘Home’: https://www.amnesty.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/home-by-warsan-shire.pdf

For more information about global refugee figures: https://www.unhcr.org/uk/global-trends

To find about more about a new Restore staff role of Befriending Women’s Worker and Communications Officer (combined and part-time role). (This webpage will be updated as further information is available): https://www.restore-uk.org/news/recruiting-a-new-befriending-womens-worker-and-communications-officer/

Featured Image: Photo by D A V I D S O N L U N A on Unsplash