Like a child years passed by, getting my first memories about past Christmas seasons and how the child is growing in her understanding of what the season is all about. Like a child gets the picture of celebration through songs, late church services and home dinners that celebrate long fasting with oil and water for over 40 days. That what my memory comes back, new clothing and big dinners, yes this is the spirit of the Middle Eastern Churches. quietness all around the corners while churches are alive.
That is the outside frame I witnessed each year, yet no good news sharing is allowed the story of Christ birth is acknowledged in all religions, the outlines, the facts no more deep into the spirit of the story and the essence of Christ birth to represent the new gift from heaven for human salvation and what is salvation? and what joy Jesus brings into our lives in a very pure simple way. It is the forbidden territories to be understood or even shared. Many are losing their lives, everything and being excommunicated only for the name of Jesus. How hard that the pride of humans allow them to judge one another without inviting God's love into their mind, heart and soul?
First years I had the chance to celebrate Christmas I was so anxious to worry about all materialistic things and go with the flow which year by year is changing and no longer the same picture in my mind. Getting deeper with Jesus and inviting him to reign over my life. To be my best friend, my refuge and my true companion when life get tougher than I thought or expected, the meaning of salvation is getting more deeper and deeper. He is alive, his birth is present each single day in my mind, heart and soul. Remembering all the monks and nuns that touched my life since my childhood and understanding their sacrifices to live only for service and how selfless they are inside out, living the simplest life in the continuous changing world that its materialistic race never ends. Yes, their dedication of service and teaching the world how to live in the way of Jesus, serving as nurses, teachers , caregivers , management and community outreach to see how to get people together , praying for the salvation of each troubled soul on earth, they are highly educated though they choose to humble themselves and see where God is calling them and they answer the call, their presence is so powerful within the community they serve and the conferences they attend. Their selection of being present is so remarkable whatever is helping them to grow, to be skilled, to learn and advance their services they do it collaboratively, living the true sisterhood and brotherhood within the body of Christ. They are so clever at reading people and can get through you so quick to understand you and read if you are sincere or not. They don't hesitate to help those who truly in need, reaching the poorest and the outcast. Many suffering around the world they know what Jesus told 2000 years ago His word is true. He never breaks a promise or promises something he can not deliver. His faithfulness to us is proven over the years. Looking at Jesus is the only hope you can see within their eyes.
Yes, this is a deep piece shaped in my heart since my childhood, whenever I am in the midst of a storm, they are the ones who come to my mind without a second thought. It is hard for the world to fully understand them as they entered the realm of His earthly kingdom and working on the field to plant His goodness as much as they could. Farming in the LORDS field that is their main job. Farming is not an easy work and it needs lots of patience, awareness of the good seeds and the bad ones and how the presence of the weed strengthen the good seeds in producing perseverance and endurance. Yes, as a beginner I cried alot, drained and lost hope many times that convinced myself that Iam a complete failure, I can not do anything probably allowing self doubt to grow and grow , the weeds overcame the seeds so no longer able to understand which is which and this is the test I have to learn and seek His guidance and leadership to carry me through this. As a beginner you ought to believe everything you see and is being told. Actions are revealing something very shaking my grounds and unable to understand yet.
So pausing is the right action to take, how long this pause will take, I have no idea. All I know is Jesus I am not aware of anything else. Christmas 2016 comes with lots of hits in the wall and confusion, unable to see the true picture of things and what they do mean. Jesus came so we may have life not taking our lives. Jesus is pro life not against it and decides who can live on this earth and who don't. Jesus came with a clear message and a direct speech to the whole world to heal , to sustain us in the time of troubles not to put us in trouble. Many deep questions at this time of the year, trying to understand what does it mean to have life in Jesus Christ, a life of choice and embracing us as we are. This Christmas is different as many contradiction messages Iam receiving within the day....y prayers for this Christmas is to live the true joy that Christ brought to the world and He paid His life for this to happen for us not the opposite. By: Manal Eweis
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