The Anchoress sent me this story a week ago, but I wanted to save it for today. It’s the story of 10 year old Namrata Nayak, a Christian who was attacked and disfigured by Hindus because of her faith. This is her witness:
“Christmas is a time to thank the baby Jesus who saved me from the fire and saved my face which was disfigured and wounded…There is so much pain and suffering, and I don’t know how long the special forces will protect us,” she told Asia News. “But Christmas is a time of gratitude. I am afraid that my people will still be attacked, but this is our life. If God has saved me, he can save other Christians too.”
The testimony of this beautiful girl, I think, should humble every Christian who has not yet been required to face any real persecution for our faith.
On the other side of the world another miracle has unfolded, years in the making. Iraq has declared Christmas an official national holiday (via Instapundit). Christians now celebrate, on this birthday of Jesus, a “Christmas without fear”.
Even if you’re not the believing type, Elizabeth Scalia (that’s The Anchoress, writing under her real name) says that Christmas gives you something to admire.
But in these difficult days, perhaps even non-believers can take some comfort in the story of Christmas. Certainly they can find inclusion in a narrative that showcases the speech-impaired, the doubting, the empowered women both young and old, the he-man protector-types, the showfolk (two songs!), the policy wonks, the farmers, the friends of animals, the professors, the privileged, and even the service industries.
With only a little effort, one can find even more: wonder at a mythology that departs from any other mythology to introduce not a god, but God-made-man; esteem in the notion that humanity is so valued and beloved of its Creator that he would want to set his tent among theirs; joy in a story of stars and angelsong and new life, and most of all — hope: that what has gone wrong may be made right; that frightening realities can be borne and incalculable debts paid down, that darkness may be pierced and shelter may be found.
Just so.
Tags: Christmas, God, Iraq, Life, The Anchoress
