Dear Partners We do thank the Lord Jesus Christ for his provision and strength during 2015. As staff in the home office we experienced how God got us through this year, even when our own strength failed us. And now soon we can celebrate our Lord’s birthday, our saviour, who saves us from sin. Matthew 1,21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. The Angel of the Lord said to Mary – He will save HIS people from their sins! It is through his grace that we can realise that we are all sinners and that we receive salvation in Christ Jesus out of the great mercy of our God.
Innumerable people will celebrate Christmas this year. But is Jesus Christ really the host and the centre of these celebrations? Or is this yearly recurring celebration without any deep meaning to them?
And now just during this time of joy about the birthday of our creator and saviour Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of life itself, shocking and very sad news from Paris reaches us. What an inhuman way of treating people, evil without limits.
At the same time many people – men, women, children - and the majority of them are fleeing just from this kind of evil. People who were ready to risk their lives and the lives of their next just to flee from this brutality. There are people who without any guilty conscience take advantage of these helpless refugees and make money out of their misery. This inhumanity knows not limits.
Even Mary and Joseph did not have any room in the inn where they could find shelter. Jesus was not born in a warm and cosy hotel room but in a very simple and not heated stable. He came as the son of God to save poor sinners. John 1,10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. Jesus Christ, the son of God came into the world who belongs to him but the people did not recognise him though there were many theological scholars at that time. But Jesus Christ is all we need in our lives. That is so easily said, when I still have everything. It is easy to talk about diets when you have just eaten. Just imagine that you do not have anything left, just like these refugees – would Jesus Christ alone be enough for you and me? Could we let go of everything, just like these refugees and follow Jesus Christ, just like the young men who Jesus asked to follow him in Math 19, 21-22? Matthew 19, 21-22 Jesus answered, „if you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.“ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. During this time of preparation of the birth of Jesus Christ we have a good possibility to think about what we think of him so that we will be able celebrate his birthday on Christmas day with a sincere heart. The SMG-Team expresses its sincere thanks for your collaboration over this past year and wishes you and your families from our hearts a restful and meaningful Christmas and a blessed new year with our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings, Roman Jösler
Director SMG Schweizerische Missions-Gemeinschaft |