Spirit of Christmas
Boris Johnson’s visit to troops stationed in Estonia tapped into the spirit of the season. It was a “thank you” for their service and a reassurance that people back in Britain are thinking about them. Most of us want to be at home for Christmas, surrounded by those we love. Sadly, it’s not always possible.
The Bible is full of the pain of homelessness. The Old Testament is the story of a people who have been captured and enslaved, of their struggle to return and protect their home. In the Gospels, by which time that homeland has been occupied by the Romans, the Holy Family travel to Bethlehem to take part in a census; according to St Luke, there was no room at the inn and they were forced to make do with a stable.
It was an uncomfortable, unlikely spot for a royal birth – which is exactly the point – yet church crib scenes tend to make it look rather cosy. Mother and father are unruffled; angels light up the sky. There is usually a well behaved ox and donkey, neither mentioned in the gospels but an addition to tradition to illustrate the fulfillment of prophecy. “The ox knows its owner,” says the Book of Isaiah, “and the ass its Master’s crib.”
The room is also backed with pilgrims bringing gifts and bearing witness. In the midst of occupation and upheaval, Mary and Joseph find a temporary home. They are transfigured both by divine love and the love of other human beings.
We would like to ask our readers to consider giving to our Christmas Charity Appeal, which can go some way towards providing help and comfort to those who need it the most. The first of our three charities is SilverLine, a free, confidential helpline for older people, established to tackle the problem of loneliness. The second is Wooden Spoon, run by the rugby community to provide much needed support for disadvantaged and disabled children. Finally, we are fundraising for Leukaemia Care, which assists anyone affected by blood cancer and campaigns on their behalf. Readers can donate by calling 0151 284 1927 or by visiting telegraph.co.uk/charity.
Christmas can be a particularly difficult time of year for some, and part of the enduring appeal of the Nativity, for all faiths or those without one, is that it presents a God who is down among His people – a vulnerable baby who unites through humility and hope.
We thank our readers for their generosity and wish them all a very merry Christmas.