If you are vaccinated and refuse to host loved ones who are not, what is your reasoning for this lack of hospitality? Surely it is not “the science”? Your vaccine should protect you. According to multiple studies, your loved one’s lack of vaccine doesn’t make them much more likely to contract or spread the virus.

There was no room at the inn for Jesus. And now that the categories of ‘vaccinated’ and ‘unvaccinated’ have been adopted in Australian society, there will be no room at the Christmas table for many this year. Be challenged by this confronting word to both the rejectors and the rejected.

As the Christmas story famously begins in Luke 2:1, “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” Every citizen was required to return to the place of their birth.

So Joseph and his wife Mary travelled up from the Galilean town of Nazareth. They journeyed together, Mary heavily pregnant, arriving in Judea. Their destination was Bethlehem, also known as “the town of David”, as Joseph was of the house and family of David.

While they were there, Mary went into labour. But because of the number of travellers for the census, there was no room at the local inn. Moreover, no one showed compassion for the young woman giving birth and relinquished their lodging.

However, the innkeeper took pity upon them. He offered them the stable where animals were kept, and they gladly accepted.

So Mary gave birth to a son, her firstborn, and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger – the animals’ feeding trough.

Still today, we feel for Mary and Joseph in their predicament. We empathise and sing songs of our Saviour’s birth. Our mind’s eye can easily envision the proceedings. A blessed baby, destined to save the world. Such humble beginnings for God-in-flesh, the Messiah.

Oh, how the angels sang! The star shone in the sky above, the shepherds gathered around to worship. All of heaven rejoiced.

Reflecting on a Difficult Year

Fast-forward to early December 2021. What a year or two it has been.

Last year, many of us were denied travel to see our loved ones. As many have observed, Australia has returned to its roots as a penal colony, and the situation has hurt and outraged many of us.

We have shed tears and grieved the loss of lives – from the virus and other causes too. Many still haven’t hugged their babies or grandchildren. Others were forbidden to weep with their beloved parent or sibling at their passing.

“It’s all for our own good” is the mantra we have repeated. Many of us chose to believe this. Some still do.

It breaks my heart – and must certainly break God’s heart – to see the division across our country. 

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