After 40 days of celebrating Christmas, the massive Christmas tree in Manger Square was taken down in the middle of January. The festival lingers longer here than in any other place, but the tree’s removal marked the fact that Christmas was now officially over in this little town.
Bypassers looked on at the changing scene, no doubt reflecting on the festive Christmas they had had and contemplating the year ahead.
With the increasing wave of violence over the past few months, it seems that people in this part of the world (one could argue everywhere else too!) are now living on the edge of their seats. It has been both tragic and heartbreaking to see the victims of hatred as well as the ongoing cycle of revenge and animosity. When people drift away from the Truth, this is what happens. When people allow evil to take root in their hearts and minds, the consequences are inevitably fatal.
In all this, the issue of freedom – an essential human need – is central. Its lack creates a crisis for almost everyone. Palestinian Christians, for whom I can speak, dream of living and moving freely – without boundaries, without checkpoints, without the need to obtain permissions to move from one place to another. To live, to love, to laugh, to smile, to hope without the existence of walls or barriers: this dream has become almost surreal.
Quite recently, over the Christmas period, Palestinian Christians were given permission to travel freely. Those who were not afraid (due to the increased tensions) to venture into Jerusalem and other areas of Israel enjoyed this taste of freedom. They made the best of it: a special cup of coffee, mall-shopping, some sightseeing; perhaps a day by the sea.
Often in this land, it feels as if freedom is granted by ink on paper. But this is not reality. True freedom isn’t authorised by governments or powers, but is God -given! The freedom that Jesus gives us through His birth, life, death and resurrection surpasses any other sort of freedom. It is a freedom that sets us free from sin, anger, hatred, jealousy, envy; where everything negative and every work of the flesh flees in the presence of the Lord of freedom Himself.
While the church in Palestine strives for our people’s physical freedom, let us not forget that when the Son sets us free (John 8:36) we are free indeed. Only then will all sorts of chains and bondages be broken and only then can we succeed in reflecting the image in which we were created – God’s own . Only as we grasp this truth, can we learn how to live as brothers and sisters without any wall of separation or man-built barriers.
I cannot help but feel indebted for God’s faithfulness in my life. Yes, I do live in a restricted town, yet I experience God’s bountiful provision on a daily basis. I have a loving family who support me beyond measure, a rewarding job where I get to teach and learn from Christ’s words every day, encouraging friends, and a godly husband. With these I can truly experience the freedom that comes from above; not only during a one-day outing when I am given permission to tread on a land that really belongs to no one but God, but in every event, we can be assured that nothing can separate us from His love. When Jesus is our satisfaction, there is nothing that we shall lack.
The words to this powerful hymn come to me afresh:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full into His wonderful face, and the things of the world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Lord, this world is between your hands. You reign over it all: help us to understand the real meaning of freedom, and guide us this year through your Spirit “to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners” wherever in the world we might be. Amen.
Grace