Speaking of Jesus coming into the world poor and starting off as a refugee, my friend and Greater Europe Missions (GEM) missionary Ted Cox has written an extraordinary book I strongly recommend: What You Meant for Evil.

The book centers around a young woman from Syria and intentionally (and very creatively) parallels the story of Joseph as told in Genesis 37 – 50. Hence the title from Genesis 50.20:

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50.20, ESV)

The book is a novel, but Ted told me that he has witnessed most of the scenes in one form or other. Some of this he explains in the What’s Next? section at the end.

As we celebrate the “baby born in a stable,” let’s remember that Jesus was clear that his followers care for the “least of these,” including the “stranger” – foreigner, refugee.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. (Matthew 25.35 – 36, ESV)

He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10.18 – 19, ESV)