“There Is Room in the Inn. Hallelujah!”

Our new government has responded to the refugee crisis with a promise to bring in 25,000 people by the end of 2015. Our country is huge; we have room. Still, with our small population, assimilating so many so quickly will be a monumental task.

Complicating the task is “fear.” When this many people from a war-torn region come all at once, they could bring terrorism with them. How can we be sure that ISIS hasn’t embedded a suicide bomber among these 25,000 desperate people? Of course, we can’t be certain. Our government security people will do their best, but there are no guarantees.

A friend answered this fear with, “What makes any one of us think that terrorists are not already here? Just because your neighbor looks Anglo-Saxon, or says he’s a Christian, or was born in Canada, he or she could still be a terrorist. We have had a perfect demonstration of that reality right here in our city. The Peterborough Mosque, the place of worship for our city’s Muslims, was set afire by one among us. That person committed an act of “overt terrorism.” What other name can we give it?

I celebrate the fact that most of us are setting aside the fear that breeds violence, hatred, prejudice. I celebrate the fact that we have the courage to open our hearts to so many desperate people. I believe that God is celebrating with us. As individuals, as a nation and as the world, we are reaching out in love. As you prepare for Christmas this year, know that there is room in Canada’s inn. Thanks be to God.

“And Mary brought forth her first born son, wrapped him in cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)