The Queen’s Message
Every year, the Queen of England makes a public Christmas
speech to the countries of the Commonwealth. I thought I’d take after dear Elizabeth
and do the same; however, mine goes out to other countries in the world and it’s
not nearly as insightful. Plus, there’s no British accent.
This year marks a special Christmas, as I am in a context
that is completely different than one I’ve ever been in at this time of year. I
am in Indonesia without my immediate family, there’s no snow, I’m wearing “summer”
clothes, the songs I sing are mostly in Indonesian and I haven’t eaten one
candy cane yet! As assumed, I am missing my family a lot (when I give in to
thinking about them). For the first time, we’re spread out in four different
time zones around the world and are relying on Skype to see each other’s faces.
It’s strange not to have them here with me and I know the others feel the same.
However, this is a positive message because I believe that
Christmas is a time of hope. The meaning
of Christmas, peace for all and hope is the same wherever we are in the world.
As I’ve been reflecting on this, I’ve realized what makes Christmas, Christmas. I naturally associate it with
those things listed above, a real Canadian/Austrian Christmas. I do enjoy
listening to Michael Buble’s renditions of classic carols and picturing downtown
Kamloops with falling snow and Christmas lights. But that’s not what it’s
really about. How amazing is it that the
almighty God came down to Earth, subjecting himself to humanity and brokenness?
The Jewish people at that time were expecting a Saviour to save them from the injustice
and oppression that the foreigners constantly exhibited. Jesus came to give
people life, but first as a baby born in obscurity to most of the world. I can’t
imagine the shock, surprise and eventual joy that people experienced in the
Saviour’s coming!
But what a message of hope. And that’s what we’re waiting
for now! The Lord came then to bring the Kingdom of God, the Helper (Holy Spirit)
and the promise of his return. We need this message of hope just as much as the
people did two thousand years ago. It seems that every year there’s more and
more brokenness, injustice and oppression in this world. Christmas is a time I
usually reflect on those as well. It’s happening everywhere and my heart is
burdened by what humans do to each other and the earth. Let us wait in
anticipation for the coming of our Lord! And while we wait, let’s be active in
seeking the Lord’s will in our lives, that we can better serve him and our
brothers and sisters.
I praise the Lord for the opportunity to celebrate Christmas
in Indonesia, as I have experienced his goodness, his grace and his love
through others here. I am blessed by my host community and the MCC family. I
love being part of the global family of God that can come together in every
context and share what unites us all: Jesus Christ. May you experience his hope
and peace this Christmas and look ahead to the New Year with eager anticipation
of what God will do in and through you.
I wish you all, my faithful supporters, a wonderful
Christmas and blessed New Year. You are a wonderful gift to me and I am so
thankful to have you working beside me as we all partake in God’s mission together.
Peace,
Elisabeth
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