May Yours Be a “House of Bread”
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and bless you for your continued faithfulness in supporting God’s mission through The Voice of the Martyrs Canada. We are privileged to count you among our beloved partners, and proud and humbled to serve on your behalf those who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Though often separated by thousands of miles, as a unified body of Christ, we can spiritually come together in Him – particularly at times of celebration such as at Christmastime when, even unknowingly, we all sing together with choirs of angels.
Though the “persecuted” may live in very remote, isolated and/or impoverished conditions, they, too, lovingly remember the declaration of the angels who proclaimed to the lowly shepherds “abiding in the field” that God’s salvation was for all people, even those who have nothing of this world and whose lives have been temporally turned upside down.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people’”
Christmas is a wonderful celebration of Christ’s birth as God became incarnate and lived among us (hence the name “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us”). But Jesus’ birth must also be strangely and joyously celebrated in the context of His death and resurrection. There are literally millions of Christians living in peril today because of their profession of faith in the resurrection of the Living Jesus. I imagine that they may not be able to celebrate Christmas without remembering Easter. Perhaps this is because they have been forced to live in a “death culture” and/or under constant fear. The only “real life” they have is the eternal life they’ve found in Jesus, which first requires His ultimate sacrifice, and then the complete and humanly reckless surrender of His people to faithfully follow Him.
For persecuted believers, Jesus means joy in worship under duress, life purpose amid hopelessness, daily bread and sustenance, the following of His Great Commission in this life, and the promise of life everlasting in His eternal presence. There is much to celebrate when considering such fundamentals of life, both here and hereafter. Suddenly Christmas becomes the celebration of God’s faithfulness in delivering the only “gift” that really matters at a limitless price that only He could pay. Bangladesh is by all accounts one of the most impoverished, densely populated, and politically/ religiously turbulent societies on the planet. In contemporary times, God’s Spirit has been increasingly at work there in the hearts and minds of new believers for decades. Those who profess faith in Christ are generally in danger, and many who choose to convert to the Christian faith are being cast out by their families, excommunicated, and/or beaten and abused. It is our privilege as VOMC to serve, in partnership with others, the many suffering members of our Christian family in Bangladesh.
In fact, this Christmas, we will be working alongside our co-workers in Bangladesh to hand deliver at least 2,800 Christmas Blessing packages to Christian families, conveying God’s love and remembrance of them as they faithfully serve Him by celebrating His birth, life, death and resurrection. The packages will include a warm blanket, various food items (such as rice), among other important necessities. Some of these families may even use the rice we’re providing to make special rice bread for Christmas.
Here, at home in Canada, one of the things I love about Christmas is the aroma and taste of freshly baked bread (a subtle hint to my dear wife). Traditionally, in many cultures, there are special breads that are baked at Christmastime which are part of the Christian celebration of the season. In Italy, for instance, there is the time-honoured seasonal tradition of making a pan-baked, fruit-laden bread called Panettone. Similarly in Belgium, there is a sweet loaf called Coughnou, which is kneaded and rolled into a shape that resembles the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes, particularly once a layer of powered icing sugar is generously sprinkled over the top, except where the representing Christ child’s face would be exposed.
Of course, I have no way of knowing exactly what will be served up in the humble homes of our Bangladesh brothers and sisters this Christmas season, but I’m praying with you that they would sense God’s presence at their tables. May they not be afraid during those precious, though oft’ fleeting, moments of celebration… trusting that His angels will keep watch over them throughout the season. In addition, may our Lord Jesus (the “Bread of Life”) fill their homes with the wonderful aroma of His heavenly presence. My family and I will be holding them close to our hearts in fervent prayer as we gather together during the season. Your prayers are coveted, too, and with much gratitude.
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty’”
I came across a wonderful metaphor relating to the truths of this editorial content. Perhaps you already knew this. The ancient city of Bethlehem was originally called “Ephratah,” which interestingly means “fertile,” “fruitful” and/or “abundance.” Amazingly though, the more modern name of “Bethlehem” means “House of Bread,” as derived from the Hebrew text. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the “Bread of Life.” He even took some bread, symbolizing His body, and broke it in the Upper Room during His Last Supper with the disciples. He also took five loaves and fed a multitude, reminding us all of God’s provision of ‘angel’s bread’ (manna) for the Israelites who wandered in the desert while journeying to the Promised Land. And, as we’re reminded this Christmas, Jesus was born in the very place referred to as the “House of Bread.” (Incidentally, VOMC is also distributing "Christmas Blessing" packages to persecuted Christians in Bethlehem and the West Bank throughout the season. Note report featured on page 4 of this issue.)
How wonderful that God also provides everything we need to sustain life forever with Him in eternity. In the meantime, He willingly brings us joy, while joining in our celebrations as we remember Him and share His goodness with those who are in pain or experiencing tremendous need. This Christmas, when you bake (and break) the Christmas bread, and share a toast of Christmas cheer, may you remember God’s gift to us in Jesus. For it’s through His broken body, symbolized in the breaking of bread, and His shed blood, represented in the communion wine, that we have eternal life. It is with an overwhelming sense of gratitude that we are able to love and embrace others around the world in great need themselves of such a blessing. Therefore, let us reach out prayerfully and with compassion to our brothers and sisters in Bangladesh and in the Holy Land, joining the chorus of angels who will also joyously gather at their celestial tables during this season of celebration.
This Christmas, May Yours Be a “House of Bread”… the Living Bread of Jesus.
- Doug
