Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas in Beirut
On the day before Christmas I went for a walk downtown to pick up a package from the post office. As I walked, I couldn't help but wonder at what I was seeing around me. Although it has been here for months, and I am used to it, I was thinking how odd it is to have to walk through razor wire and past tanks in order to pick up a Christmas package from home.
Yet I am joyful. Why? I am filled with joy because of an experience I had on campus the day before. I was studying with two of my friends in biology. They happen to be in Hezballah. As we talk the topic of Christmas comes up and I find out that all of them are excited for Dec 25th. I couldn't believe it. They told me that they have trees in their homes, they give gifts and celebrate Christmas with their families. They said it is simply a time when everyone is happy and they don't have to fight, not with Christians or with anyone, they can just enjoy life and celebrate in peace. Through the rest of the conversation I realized that in some ways the people of Hezballah in Lebanon have more respect for and understanding of Christians than most Christians in the west have for them.
I have become deeply convinced that the very first step towards peace between the radical east and the west is a development of respect for eachother. Regardless of whether the others "deserve" respect. I have seen people here from radically different backgrounds, convictions, ideologies, and beliefs (including myself) working together, enjoying eachothers' company and simply living side by side in peace. The foundation of such a relationship? Respect. I am convicted to learn more about tho
se who seem so opposite from me, so different, and even at odds, and I am determined to respect them as people, even if I disagree with their ideas, beliefs or actions.
If the coming of Jesus to the world in flesh did anything for humanity, it gave a new divine dignity to every person ever. Now, because of the incarnation, humanity it something that is wrapped up integrally in the God-head, and so at the very least, each soul deserves our respect. As I think about how I can practically live the incarnation this coming year, I have decided to respect those who have the spark of God in them, even if it is confused, or buried deep.
God's rich blessings upon you in this season. May the incarnation of Christ be brought alive in ourselves. Peace.
On the day before Christmas I went for a walk downtown to pick up a package from the post office. As I walked, I couldn't help but wonder at what I was seeing around me. Although it has been here for months, and I am used to it, I was thinking how odd it is to have to walk through razor wire and past tanks in order to pick up a Christmas package from home.
Yet I am joyful. Why? I am filled with joy because of an experience I had on campus the day before. I was studying with two of my friends in biology. They happen to be in Hezballah. As we talk the topic of Christmas comes up and I find out that all of them are excited for Dec 25th. I couldn't believe it. They told me that they have trees in their homes, they give gifts and celebrate Christmas with their families. They said it is simply a time when everyone is happy and they don't have to fight, not with Christians or with anyone, they can just enjoy life and celebrate in peace. Through the rest of the conversation I realized that in some ways the people of Hezballah in Lebanon have more respect for and understanding of Christians than most Christians in the west have for them.
I have become deeply convinced that the very first step towards peace between the radical east and the west is a development of respect for eachother. Regardless of whether the others "deserve" respect. I have seen people here from radically different backgrounds, convictions, ideologies, and beliefs (including myself) working together, enjoying eachothers' company and simply living side by side in peace. The foundation of such a relationship? Respect. I am convicted to learn more about tho
se who seem so opposite from me, so different, and even at odds, and I am determined to respect them as people, even if I disagree with their ideas, beliefs or actions.If the coming of Jesus to the world in flesh did anything for humanity, it gave a new divine dignity to every person ever. Now, because of the incarnation, humanity it something that is wrapped up integrally in the God-head, and so at the very least, each soul deserves our respect. As I think about how I can practically live the incarnation this coming year, I have decided to respect those who have the spark of God in them, even if it is confused, or buried deep.
God's rich blessings upon you in this season. May the incarnation of Christ be brought alive in ourselves. Peace.
