Winter 2022 was impossibly tough in the UK. Soaring costs meant that the elderly, low-income families and millions of others were faced with the choice of heating their homes or putting food on the table.
In response, thousands of churches joined The Warm Welcome Campaign, offering their buildings as “warm spaces” to anyone in need.
“In the Christmas story we remember that Jesus was born in a primitive shelter and then fled to Egypt as a refugee,” explains the campaign’s founder. “His active ministry was amongst the poorest people in society. Churches are living this story today by stepping up across the UK to serve people in need and provide a Warm Welcome.”
The campaign rooted itself in Jesus’ own experience of suffering and His love for those who suffer. Even during His early years, God told Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, “Escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him” (Matthew 2:13). It wasn’t until sometime later that Jesus could return to Israel, thereby fulfilling the prophecy: “Out of Egypt I called my son” (v. 15). It was an ancient revelation that, right from the start, Jesus would suffer.
The trials and deprivations in the Christmas story remind us that our Saviour knows what it is to be poor and in need. When we suffer similarly, we can be sure we will always receive a “warm welcome” from Him.
By Chris Wale
REFLECT & PRAY
How does it help you to know Jesus truly understands suffering? How might you be able to offer His “warm welcome” to others this winter?
Dear Jesus, when life is unbearably hard, it comforts me to know You truly understand. Thank You that I am always welcome to bring everything to You in prayer.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The words translated "wise men" are from the Greek word magoi. Some translations use the word Magi. They were not kings but came from the East—Babylon, Persia, or the Arabian Desert. And they did not come to the manger on the night of Jesus' birth. Magi are found in the Bible especially in the courts of Babylon. Interestingly, Daniel was placed in charge of them (Dan. 2:2,48; 5:11). Daniel may have taught them the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. For 500 years, this prophecy of the birth of the king of the Jews would have been kept alive with this mysterious group of astronomers and astrologers. For them it must have been one of the deepest unsolved mysteries.
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