CHRISTMAS IN ALEPPO

                                                 

In a bombed out building, in Aleppo Syria, a family of five hunkers down for another day of not knowing if they will see the end of the day or not. They are a Christian family but only in the privacy of their home. They would be killed if the enemy knew their faith. Christmas may be coming soon but for them it’s just another day fighting for survival. There is a mom and three kids and a crippled father badly wounded in the fighting. He lies on a cold damp, cot, shivering and moaning. Infection has taken over his body from his undressed wounds. His wife tries to comfort him but it only adds to her despair for she has no medicine or bandages. The boy, about thirteen, goes out each day to see what he can beg, borrow or steal for food and water. One little girl about six sits in the corner wrapped in rags for warmth trying to keep her toddler brother happy. He cries incessantly because he is so cold, wet and hungry. There is no food, no water, no heat and seemingly no hope.

This Christmas in Minnesota I will gather with my family and loved ones once more. We’ve cut back on the gift giving but only because there is little anyone needs. Our warm homes are brightly decorated and on Christmas Eve we will go worship freely the birth of Christ. Then we will gather for a Christmas feast of roast beef, and all the trimmings. Crawl into our warm beds and sleep, seemingly without a care in the world. After Christmas we will go back to our routines, richer for having spent another Christmas in this great country and looking forward to even better things.

I think of Syria and I can’t fathom how the leader of that country can destroy his own country and its people to stay in power. What is it that he wants, to go to such extremes? What is wrong with the people who supply this mad man with bombs and missiles? What is wrong with the rest of the world that could stop all this suffering tomorrow, with one huge collective effort?

I mentioned that this family in Aleppo was Christian and Christmas is coming. Somewhere in the Bible between Genesis and Revelations there is story of the reason for Christmas and a code of ethics, Jesus brought for all of us to live by. It tells us to care for others and be tolerant of others and love our neighbors and if we do this, the world will be a far better place for all of us. But for that to happen someone has to care and the way things are now-- caring is being called into question.

Back in Aleppo it’s Christmas Eve and the man has died. His wife sits on the floor and sobs into his still warm body. She has no way to even give him a burial service. She gathers her family around her and they all take what they can carry. It’s time to flee their home now. There is no star to guide them like the Shepherd’s had that night so long ago, Just piles of rubble to crawl over and around. If they are lucky they will get to Turkey and maybe-- just maybe, they will get something to eat and drink.

My wish this Christmas is for a realization in this world and this country of what is important and what isn’t. An end to this kind of greed and power struggles that goes on at the expense of so many innocents. -----For peace on earth and good will to all.