Bethlehem has taken on a mythological shine in our minds. It was a very small town, around 300 inhabitants. Bethlehem is now a bustling city of 30000. A third of these are Palestinian Christians. We have changed Christmas from the spiritual to a commercial celebration: Santa Claus, Christmas tree, gifts and food. What happened 2000 years ago was something real, tangible. Jesus was born as a refugee, his family had to go to Bethlehem. Soon the whole family fled the brutality of King Herod to Egypt. Now Bethlehem is home to nearly 20000 Palestinian refugees.

The Christmas in the Bible has not a lot to do with the Christmas we celebrate. The wise men from the East tell about the Roman rule and the occupation of a foreign power in Palestine. States not only control the inhabitants of their territories, but also control who gets to visit. Have you seen a TV program about the Australian border? The program reminds me of many different border crossings. Sometimes you don't even notice the border, like between Sweden and Finland. Sometimes you have to wait long before you even get to the border authorities.

The wise men from the East were met with a strict border check: why are you here, where are you going? Have you ever thought of that the wise men were interrogated by those in power? Bethlehem was a conquered city at the time. Today the situation is similar: it is surrounded on three sides by eight meters high wall.

And if Jesus were born now? He would not be born in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph would not get through the Israeli checkpoint. The shepherds would be stuck inside the walls on the other side from Betlehem and Jesus could be born at the checkpoint.

What is the good news here? God was born into a troubled, wounded and real world. He wants to be involved in our real life, in all its complexities and fears. Christmas is real. It’s not a myth or a wonderland. The good news is that God became one of us, a child, weak and vulnerable. Through his vulnerability he overcame the empire. Christmas is God’s promise that we have life and a future.

Prayer: Thank you that today you are Immanuel, God with us. Amen

/ Tarja Pyykkö