CHRISTMAS LABYRINTHYou are invited to travel this journey with Mary and Joseph, shepherds, Wiseman and the baby Jesus as they travel the road to Bethlehem and then to Egypt. As you move through the Christmas story are encouraged to reflect on those on the road at the moment; the refugees of Syria.

Angel comes to Mary.

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to her,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;therefore the child to be born will be called holy,the Son of God.

36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Starting in the light

America values the right to worship freely, the right to meet with God in a place we call home. Just as the angel came to Mary in her home, so God comes to communities of faith in places they call home.

Refugees are people whose place of safety has been taken by war, intolerance, instability, poverty and violence. They have loss the security of praying in their familiar place of worship and they are forced out into insecurity and darkness. At the start of this Christmas labyrinth, light a candle as the Angel comes to Mary bringing God’s presence, bringing change and setting heron the road to Bethlehem and Egypt. Pray for refugees who are led out of safety into deeper dependence on God.

Celtic Blessing: In the time of shadows.

May you see God's light on the path aheadWhen the road you walk is dark.May you always hear,Even in your hour of sorrow,The gentle singing of the lark.When times are hard may hardnessNever turn your heart to stone,May you always rememberwhen the shadows fall—You do not walk alone.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1v39-56.

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechari′ah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42

and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;

49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on those who fear himfrom generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm,he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,

52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones,and exalted those of low degree;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent empty away.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,in remembrance of his mercy,

55 as he spoke to our fathers,to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

Friends on the Road

Mary and Elizabeth were women expecting babies together; friends who expected to spend their pregnancy together, expected to be friends on this journey into new life. Instead Mary was forced onto the road to satisfy the wishes of an occupying power.

Many people reach out to help those in distress. When faced with suffering arriving on the door we welcome it with open arms. Most refugees want something of familiarity, they find it in those who offer help, those who give to them but most of all in the friends from home they meet on the road.

Take something to eat, enjoy the baby clothes, give thanks for all who care for those who suffer and think of who comings into your life needing help.

Make us worthy

Make us worthy, O Lord, to serveThe men and women throughout the worldWho live and die in poverty and hunger.Give them, through our hands,This day their daily bread,And by our understanding and love,Give peace and joy.Amen

- Mother Teresa

Travel to Bethlehem

Luke 2v1-7

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2

This was the first enrollment, when Quirin′i-us was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

No welcome at the inn

Mary and Joseph had no choice but to take the road to Bethlehem. It was not a good time to for Mary to move, her baby was due and yet they had to go. For many refugees the journey is not safe, the trip from Syria to Europe is called ‘the death road’ by many refugees. Despite this they take the trip, it is still the better choice to take the road.

But Mary and Joseph arrived and found no welcome, only a stable place to lay their baby. Refugees question, will I find welcome at the end of the road? Just a Mary and Joseph worried on the road so do people today.

Watch the slid show and accept that this road, “the death road,” that refugees are driven to. Watch the slides and know that many refugees do not find welcome, not even a stable.

For the Poor and the Neglected

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

- Collect from the Book of Common Prayer.

Shepherds and Angels

Luke 2v8-20.

8 And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; 11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; 18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Walk a mile in someone’s shoes

Christmas is a time of pageants and dressing up for parties. Try some of the shepherd and sheep costumes. Enjoy being part of the Christmas story, while it is still safe. Then try on some shoes. Refugees leave behind their property, selling all they have to make a trip that could take their lives. As you enjoying dressing up remember to walk with those who are poor, oppressed and have lost all. Maybe we can all walk a little lighter with less to encumber us on the way.

If the hunger of others

If the hunger of others is not my own,if the anguish of my neighbor in all its formstouches me not,if the nakedness of my brother and sisterdoes not torment me,then I have no reason to go to church and live.Life is this: to love ones neighbor as oneself;This the commandment of God.Love means deeds, not good wishes.For this reason I commit myself to working For the necessities of my brothers and sisters.

- Javier Torres/CAFOD

Wise men

Matthew 2v1-12

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for from you shall come a rulerwho will govern my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; 8 and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; 11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

What’s really needed

The wise men came to meet Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. They brought with them gifts. They were rich men who could have brought much that a poor family in strangle land needed, but they didn’t bring food, or fuel for the fire. They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh: gifts that spoke of the dignity, the divinity of the baby and gifts which showed love to the family.

Refugees are gathered into relocation centers, put up in halls and gathered in camps. The process of arriving is de-humanizing, you are given papers which will decide if you are accepted as a refugee or turned away. Refugees need food , need shelter and clothing, but they also need a restoration of dignity. Wise men and women come to them provide meaning and welcome, have them to dinner in their own homes as refugee once did before leaving there homes.

Have a look, feel and smell at the gifts commonly sent as aid; handle the bagged/canned food, the packed tents and the firewood. Then look at the wise men’s gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. Pray for the dignity as well as the material needs of refugees.

Plates and hearts

May we whose plates and heartsare fullbe always thankfuland work tirelessly to make a better worldfor those whose plates and heartsare empty.

- Joy Mead.

John 1v1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.

9 The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. 11 He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. 15 (John bore witness to him, and cried, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.’”) 16

And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.

The family at the heart

At the heart of the Christmas story is a family and their baby. At the heart of the refugee crisis are families. Family who have been torn by war, have crossed land and seas, who have come and yet are still loved and loving within themselves.

Spend some time before the Holy family icon and the images of refugee mothers by Associated Press photographer Muhammed Muheisen. Draw a picture of yourself and your family, pin it up alongside the image of refugees. Know that the Christ child brings us all into one family.

God of the hungry

God of the hungry, the homeless, the helpless,make us hunger and thirst till their rights prevail.God of the stateless, the uprooted, the refugee,make us hunger and thirst till their rights prevail.God of the prisoner, the prophet, the protester,make us hunger and thirst till your Word,through them is heard.Amen

- Jean Mortimer.

Flight into Egypt

2 Matthewv13-15, 19-23.

The Escape to Egypt

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”

The Return from Egypt

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 “Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archela′us reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

A place to go

As you come to the end of this Christmas Labyrinth know that this is only the start of the story. Jesus and family are refugees again, feeling to Egypt, but they will return to Judea. We too will continue with our lives, refugees will continue to travel the world. But how will we all be changed by meeting Christ and refugee on the road. As you leave take choose to help the Christ we meet in others by prayer, advocacy and generosity. Choose one of the resources on refugees home with you, make their enacting of the birth of Christ a part of your Christmas.

Christian Aid, Prayer for refugees.

‘Deal with each other justly, do not oppress the refugee, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood. Journey in all the ways I command you, that all may go well with you.’ (Jeremiah 7, 6-7)

Lord of the journey,We ask for your protection on all who have fled their homes.Give them strength on their journeys and grant that they mayfind places of compassion at which to rest.Ease their fear as they throw in their lot with strangersAnd keep alive their vision of finding a secure and welcoming home.

Amen.

Theology and refugeesDeeply embedded in the faith memory of all Jews and Christians is the command to ‘love the stranger’, and this command comes always with a reminder, that we were once strangers ourselves.

This may not be our own personal experience, but our lives are governed by a story far greater than own selves.

Our great story begins with Abraham, called by God to leave his homeland in what is now modern-day Iraq and to travel.

Our story continues with the people who left Egypt to escape a tyrant, to journey through a wilderness in search of a promised land.

Our story belongs to Daniel, exiled in Babylon, far from home. Our story is carried by Jesus himself who had nowhere to lay his head.

We are descended from strangers, and we are glad to offer true hospitality and welcome to those who come to us as strangers.

We also listen to what Jesus said about welcoming the stranger, in one of his parables. He said that ‘just as you did to one of the least of these... you did it to me’ (Matthew 25:40).

This makes our welcoming of every stranger a ministry to Christ himself. In looking into the face of the stranger we see someone with the dignity and worth of a saviour.

But Christians are also never content to give welcome and emergency help alone. We also always want to ask ‘why?’. Why is anyone suffering, and how can we address the root causes of human need and injustice?

Archbishop Hélder Câmara famously said: ‘When I give food to the poor they call me a saint, when I ask why they are poor they call me a communist.'

Christ summons us to ask why any human being needs refuge, why anyone must travel at such risk, far from home, leaving so much behind.

Christian Aid began its work as Christian Reconstruction in Europe, offering a compassionate response to refugees in Europe after the Second World War.

We have long experience of seeing the connections between the great story of the Christian faith and the needs of the world around us.

The story is older than Christian Aid, and this story can help us face the latest challenge, but also frame a future hope, for a world in which all God’s children shall live in safety and have a home.

We weep now for those who are suffering, we remember the call of Jesus to ‘welcome the stranger’ and we pray for and work for the dawning of a better world, a world where love has no borders or bounds.

Theology and refugees: (From http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/refugee-crisis-appeal/prayers-and-vigils.aspx?Page=3) Accessed: 11/2/15