Jesus: A Refugee and Our Eternal Hope – A Christmas Reflection

"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’" (Matthew 2:13) As we reflect on Christmas, we often focus on the joy of His arrival in a humble stable, surrounded by shepherds and wise men. But have we ever considered Jesus as a refugee? In the opening chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus, the Son of God, not only born into humble circumstances but also forced to flee His homeland to escape a violent ruler.To protect Jesus, an angel warned Joseph, and they fled to Egypt, becoming refugees in a foreign land. Jesus’ early life as a refugee speaks deeply to the heart of God’s solidarity with the suffering of humanity. God Himself entered the world through the vulnerability of a refugee child. This experience of displacement and fear was not outside of God's redemptive plan. In fact, Jesus’ own journey as a refugee reveals His identification with the most marginalized, oppressed, and vulnerable people in society. Jesus, who was born in poverty, now also experienced the threat of violence, the heartbreak of exile, and the uncertain future of a refugee. His flight into Egypt makes Him one with the countless millions of people throughout history who have been forced to flee their homes seeking safety and survival. As we continue to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us remember that Jesus, in His own vulnerability, invites us to open our hearts and homes to those who are in need of refuge. His life as a refugee reminds us that God is present with the oppressed, and we are called to reflect that same love to a hurting world. At the World Evangelical Alliance, we stand in solidarity with our family in Christ. We invite your participation in solidarity. Your generous support enables us to reach those who are most in need, providing not only material aid but the hope of Christ’s love. This Christmas, let us reflect His heart of compassion for the displaced and vulnerable around the world. Thank you for joining us in this mission of hope. In Christ, Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving more than 600 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 143 national Evangelical Alliances in 9 regions. Launched in London in 1846, the WEA unites evangelicals across denominations for prayer, evangelism, mission, theological education, religious freedom, human rights advocacy, relief, and engagement in a wide range of social issues. It speaks with one voice to United Nations, governments, and media in public or through behind-the-scenes diplomacy on issues of common concern to the Church. For more information, visit worldea.org WEA has been a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1980. WEA is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm. WEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the United States, your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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