I wonder what this boy from the Middle East would say to people living now, claiming to be his followers and living “good lives” according to the principles he tried to establish so many years ago. What would he say when reading stories like this and listening to the comments of some people?
Please, people, leave your fears of “the other”, of “otherness” in general behind and recognize: we are all in this together.
Through the internet and other technologies our world has become closer than ever. Our children communicate and play with children who are living on different continents. They are “switched on” and know that Saint Nicholas wasn’t a big white fella in a red and white coat from the North Pole (this is another story altogether, and a not very well documented one either – you can read about it here); they also know how most people from the Middle East look like. Get your facts right and create some true magic and sacred space with and for them! Your children listen to rap music and learn that nothing is just “black & white”. Don’t worry about taking the magic of Christmas away from your children – commercialism and Western mindsets have already done that. By holding on to a twisted story you are actually doing way more harm to them, to yourself and to others. Hold sacred magic space by spreading the original message of Christmas which is all about loving each other, getting along with each other and sharing with each other, no matter what!
I feel sad that Rob Herewini (read the story above) and many others have to endure such cruelty – as had this man in the famous story thousands of years ago.
In this sense: Merry Christmas everyone!