On 11 December the Rev Diana Hall, the Rector of St. Anne’s, Dunbar, talked on BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Thought for the Day’ about how recent events in Syria may be affecting Syrian refugees in Scotland, reflecting a little-discussed aspect of the Christmas story.
Rev Hall said: “The displacement of those whose lives are in danger, and their quest to find a place of safety, is an oft overlooked part of the Christmas story. In Matthew’s account of the nativity, he describes how, shortly after Jesus is born, King Herod is determined to find and kill the Christ child. Fearing for their safety Mary and Joseph take their baby, flee to Egypt and stay there until Herod has died.
“Those who are in danger find refuge because others help them. In the story, the Holy Family’s safety is guarded by angels. An angel appears to Joseph twice in his dreams, first to warn him to flee from impending danger, and again after Herod’s death, to tell him it is safe to go home. No doubt as strangers in Egypt, Jesus and his parents relied on the hospitality and practical help of others.
“For many Syrian refugees who have settled in Scotland, emotions are running high. They’ve worked hard to settle in a strange land. They’ve received help and they’ve also contributed to our communities, enriching our common life. But like Mary and Joseph in Egypt, many have also been watching and waiting, wondering when it might be safe to return home. And now perhaps they are beginning to wonder if it might be soon.”
The full broadcast can be heard at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0025t3t at the 1:20:05 mark.
