Richard Collins comments on living the message of love this Christmas

Richard Collins

What's your favourite Christmas Bible reading? Isaiah 9? Luke 2? Both contain wonderful passages. But once you've read them, how about moving on from the star and the shepherds to Jesus' Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10? Not the most 'Christmassy', I admit, but one with some bite. It may even affect how you celebrate the season. The upshot of its message? Love the foreigner; do good to those outside your social group - they're your neighbours too.

In the past few months, UKIP has managed to win two by-elections. The hot topic which swamped all others during the campaigns was, of course, immigration. It's an issue which divides people, even Christians. A complex subject requires a considered approach, and I do not envy politicians (of any party) who tackle it. They can't please everyone, and those they displease are often the most vocal in their disapproval.

Yet it's not the politicians, nor even the policies which concern me most. It's the effect of this issue on the human heart. Jesus reserves his most potent teaching for the human heart. If the legal expert was hoping Jesus would support his own view of 'neighbour', he came to the wrong man. Furthermore, Jesus' answer echoes down the ages. 'Who is my neighbour?' Everyone, including foreigners.

As Guy Brandon notes, 'the biblical approach to immigration is more nuanced and balanced than modern presentations of the issues often suggests'. Nevertheless, Scripture is very clear on how we should treat 'outsiders'. The repeated command to 'love the alien' reminds us that our response should be 'one of compassion and openness, rather than defensiveness and hostility'. So, regardless of our political persuasion, Jesus' parable remains significant today. For us personally.

Generosity and hospitality are familiar Christian virtues, but it's not enough to trumpet our support for a virtue. We are called to live them out, even at cost to ourselves - at Christmastime as much as at other times. The whole point of a parable is to sting the hearer into action. I wonder what action you will take. After all, we know what it means to have our needs met by a loving heavenly Father. Who are our neighbours? They are gifts from heaven, people whom God calls us to love, just as he loves us.

This article was first published by LICC and is used with permission.