A subdued Christmas? Sometimes. A happy Christmas? Always! And that is what I wish for you this Christmas. (by Ajith Fernando)
As I pray for the 2018 Urbana Missions Conference, of course I pray specifically for our dear friend, Ajith Fernando.
Please do pray for this dear pastor and brother in Christ (and his family–who sacrifices each day to support and enable his ministry).
And please be blessed by his reflections on Christmas! (I’ve highlighted a few passages in it–so please note that the emphases are mine.)
Happy, Blessed Christmas to you, my friends–
Yours in Christ,
Tara B.
A SUBDUED CHRISTMAS
by Ajith Fernando
“Some of you were a little concerned that in my last letter I seemed to be open to the possibility of not going to Urbana because of the flu epidemic. Let me share my thinking about this.
I knew that there was a substitute at Urbana who had prepared Bible studies on the same passages. He would fill in for me if I could not make it. Actually he sent me his manuscripts before I completed mine!
My first Urbana in 1987 was the time I was introduced somewhat prominently to a wider international audience. I do not think that international ministry is a big deal in comparison with non-prominent grassroots ministry. But that seems to be part of my call, and Urbana 87 opened doors for that aspect. I went to Urbana in 1987 because the scheduled speaker could not come. I told God that, in the same way if he wants to give this other brother a wider exposure through my getting sick, I will gladly surrender my place to him.
This opens the door to discuss a bigger issue: the place of suffering in God’s plan for individual Christians. I have always felt that if my people suffer, I would count it a privilege to suffer with them. One of the greatest things about the incarnation is that we know that Jesus understand us because he suffered like us (Heb. 2:18 ). This is why I believe God permitted many wonderful Christians in Sri Lanka to suffer from the tsunami. That gave us solidarity with our people. In order to have a lasting impact upon our hurting nation, we Christians will need to suffer as our people suffer. This was one of the many reasons for the tribulation that Jesus promised we would have in this world (Matt. 13:21; John 16:33).
By the way Rodney Stark in his brilliant book The Rise of Christianity shows that the way Christians responded during two epidemics that hit the Roman Empire had a lot to do with the people becoming favorably disposed towards Christianity, resulting finally in large numbers becoming Christians.
But what difference does Christ and his work make amidst epidemics and tragedies? A huge difference! However severe our suffering, we have Jesus and his joy and peace and that is our greatest treasure in life. We are richer than the richest billionaire when we have Jesus and the inexpressible joy (1 Pet. 1:8 ) and the peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7) that he gives. When we relish Jesus even our trials become opportunities to understand new lessons about the most precious things in our lives: Jesus and his joy and peace.
The happiest people in the world are not those who do not have problems; they are those who are not afraid of problems. Jesus said, ‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world”(John 16:33). That is what is so special about us. We serve a Master who has overcome the world. Therefore nothing in this world can take away our joy and peace.
So sickness could be a means to glorify just as the cruel death of Christ was. I believe we need to pray for healing believing that God can heal miraculously. Some people, especially those with the healing gift, will know without a doubt that God will surely heal in answer to their prayers. But health is not such a big deal. The big deal is that Jesus loves us. Because of that we look at life with a smile on our faces. Life is beautiful because Jesus is for us. That is our basic approach to life.
All this has fashioned our celebration of Christmas this year. We have thousands of refugees in the North and the South of Sri Lanka. We have many sad homes in the North and the South because of the death or serious injury in the war. Many are struggling just to have their basic necessities because of escalating prices in war affected areas. In such an environment it would be ridiculous for Christians to give themselves to excessive merry-making and expenditure this Christmas.
Many of us have decided that we will not purchase gifts except what we usually give to the very poor. Instead the money saved will be sent to bring some relief to the suffering people of Sri Lanka. At our staff Christmas party, we had a simpler meal than usual and gave the funds saved for the same purpose.
But this we can do: We can rejoice in the fact that God entered the experience of suffering humanity through the incarnation and brought us salvation, life, light and liberation. This is a time to praise God for that with glad hearts. Singing will always we a part of any Christmas … subdued or not.
Today I sang a song for my devotions that goes like this:
You can have a song in your heart in the night,
After ev’ry trial, after ev’ry mile;
Anyone can sing when the sun’s shining bright,
But you need a song in your heart at night. (Ira Stanphill)
A subdued Christmas? Sometimes. A happy Christmas? Always! And that is what I wish for you this Christmas.
As for me, I will spend all of Christmas day, in airplanes and airports, away from my beloved family. But Jesus will be there. So I too can have a happy Christmas.”
[from Ajith Fernando’s 2006 Prayer Letter]