Faith Facts

• Christmas reminds us that Christ’s birth brings a hope that goes beyond earthly conflict.
• The peace promised at Jesus’ birth is about restored relationship with God, not just an end to war.
• God honors physical creation, calling us to care for our communities and world with faith.

As war continues in Ukraine, families still gather in faith to remember the miracle of Christmas. The incarnation of Christ stands as a promise that God is present even amid global strife.

The angelic message of “peace on earth” was not about quick fixes in the political world, but about reconciliation between God and mankind. Although Jesus was born in turbulent times, His birth ushered in a kingdom of peace rooted in justice and restored relationships.

The world’s idea of peace often relies on power or suppression, but Jesus brought a new peace that confronts injustice and transforms hearts. God’s promise is not void when we see conflict; rather, we are living through the period between His promise and its full fulfillment.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)

The incarnation was not about immediate victory over difficulties, but about redeeming creation and restoring all things to God’s good purposes. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection affirm that our ultimate hope lies in God’s faithfulness.

Scripture teaches that God values material creation—He made it good and calls us to honor it. Jesus lived fully as a man, sharing in our joys and sorrows, and showed us the significance of both body and soul.

By taking on flesh, God showed His commitment to healing creation and inviting us to do likewise in service and stewardship. Our faith calls us to care for others and this world, looking forward to Christ’s ultimate renewal.

The message of Christmas, then, is that peace is growing, even if the world resists it. In Christ, the future holds hope, redemption, and the flourishing of all God has made. Let us rejoice in this enduring promise and live it out in faith each day.

Celebrate the enduring hope of Jesus and reflect His peace by caring for your family, community, and world.

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Faith Facts

• Lighting Chanukah candles shows solidarity with Jews facing rising persecution.
• The Chanukah story is rooted in the preservation of God’s temple and His miraculous provision of light.
• The announcement to Mary parallels the themes of Chanukah: God’s presence, hope, and light amid darkness.

Believers are called to stand with the Jewish community, especially during times of adversity, as a testimony to shared faith and values. Chanukah stands as a declaration that darkness and hostility cannot overcome the witness of God’s people.

“Chanukah is the festival of lights, a public display that God’s people will not have their lights put out and their worship of God extinguished.”

The events of Chanukah echo throughout Christian history as a reminder of God’s providence and His faithfulness in restoring His people. Lighting the Chanukah candles reflects the enduring legacy of God’s miracles, culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel during Chanukah speaks to God’s ultimate promise made manifest through Jesus, drawing powerful connections between biblical history and Christian belief.

Let us remember that faith unites, light endures, and our stand affirms the dignity and calling of God’s people.

Read the full article at Premier Christianity

Faith Facts

• The EU will create official lists of “safe countries of origin” and “safe third countries,” making it much harder for some migrants to claim asylum in Europe.
• Spain supports the new Migration and Asylum Pact but urges swifter action due to migration pressures, especially in the Canary Islands.
• The Spanish Evangelical Alliance highlights the biblical command in Exodus 12:49 for equal treatment of natives and foreigners under the law, urging dignity and integration for immigrants.

The European Union has provisionally agreed to stricter asylum rules, introducing new lists deemed ‘safe’ for migrants, making defense of asylum applications far more difficult. Spain backs the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact, pushing for faster implementation due to challenges in hotspots like the Canary Islands.

Southern European countries face unique pressures from irregular migration and call for greater burden-sharing among all EU members. However, deep political divisions within Spain make nationwide consensus on immigration extremely challenging, affecting proposals made to the EU.

“The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you.”

Emphasizing biblical principles, evangelicals stress the need for policies rooted in fairness and the realistic ability to welcome and integrate immigrants. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and related regulations mandate equal rights for long-term third-country residents.

Scripture also urges those welcomed into the land to respect the host nation’s values and laws, underlining the need for newcomers to genuinely embrace the society’s democratic and moral standards. Lack of integration fuels divisiveness and feeds rising populist movements across Europe, undermining a Christian vision of brotherhood and justice.

Evangelical leaders note both the necessity of immigration—due to population decline—and the importance of supporting development and human rights in home countries to prevent perilous journeys. They advocate for clear, fair, and safe immigration policies that also respect state sovereignty and the Christian principle of charity to the stranger.

Engaging as faithful citizens, Christians are called to promote just, humane, and orderly systems that balance compassion with prudent stewardship of national resources and cultural identity. Standing together in faith helps ensure both protection and dignity for all.

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