Shaheen
remarked, “Joy, Christmas has started. It lasts so long! I’m jealous. Our Eid is just a few days but Christmas is
for so long. Why can’t we have Eid like
Christmas?” Her jealousy caught me by
surprise. We know that it lasts a long
time because it mostly has to do with commercialization, but I thought, hmm….I guess it’s not so bad it lasts a
long time if it makes someone jealous. More
time means more opportunities to tell the story.
Muslims in the West are surrounded by the
secular commercialization
of Christmas. They are attracted to beautifully decorated Christmas trees and homes, hear the festive carols being sung in malls and perhaps take their children to a Santa parade. There are Christmas or Holiday parties going on everywhere, including ESL schools and in public schools. Many take their children to visit Santa in the mall and have a photo taken.
of Christmas. They are attracted to beautifully decorated Christmas trees and homes, hear the festive carols being sung in malls and perhaps take their children to a Santa parade. There are Christmas or Holiday parties going on everywhere, including ESL schools and in public schools. Many take their children to visit Santa in the mall and have a photo taken.
When I visit
my friends during December I usually ask them, “You have heard the story of
Santa but have you ever heard the real story about Christmas?” Often I get
the reply they don’t know any other story. “Really? You’ve never heard the real
story of Christmas?” I exclaim. I try to build up a desire to want to hear it.
“How long have you lived here? Has no one ever told you the real story?” By
this time they are curious to know what the real story is all about. “Would you
like to hear it?” I ask them. When they say yes I tell them the story. It is as
simple as that. They are aware of the virgin Mary and baby Jesus(Isa) but not much more than
that. Ask them what else they know about the story. There were precise prophecies, angelic visits and dreams, a one-of-a-kind conception, a shocked fiancé, an unusual star, astrologers, a wicked and jealous
king who went on a terrorist rampage, shepherds, extravagant gifts appropriate for a king, a significant name
given to the baby, Yousef and Maryam and Isa became refugees on the run, etc.
It’s a dramatic and exciting story. God has a good plan for the world. I like
to capitalize on the meaning of the name of Jesus – as much as they can handle in one sitting. Explaining theology is necessary but they
also need to hear the story. Unfortunately sometimes we jump right into
theology and doctrinal facts but alas, leave out the story.
Afterwards I
ask them if they understood the story and if so, could they please tell the
story back to me because I want to see if they really understood it. I help
them if they have difficulty. “And what happened after that?....What does that mean?”....”Who
had a jealous eye?” "What does the name Jesus mean?"…and so forth.
They can’t believe in Jesus as Savior if they
have never heard the story of Him. Why not try to tell the story to one Muslim friend this Christmas? Next, perhaps in another conversation, we can ask them if they know the reason Jesus was born. Step by step. First the story. Then the doctrinal truth. Ultimately we want them to know that the purpose of His birth was to bring reconciliation between God and people by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
Dear
heavenly Father, please help me not to be afraid or shy to tell the Christmas story.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
