By Cathy Hird
Homes and churches often display a crèche at this time of year. These small figures of the holy family, shepherds, animals and magi tell the story of the Jesus' birth. This year, the cathedral in Montreal did not place the figures in a stable. Instead, the shelter was a tent with "UNHCR" printed on it.

This simple construction helps bridge the ancient story with our day. The baby Jesus was a refugee.Two of the people who wrote down his story showed that. Think about it: two people who believed that Jesus was the divine presence of God, capable of healing the sick with a touch, resurrected from death, told that he began life as a refugee.

For Matthew and Luke, it was important to see God as vulnerable and living among the poor and lost. For us, these stories are a reminder that those who are forced from their homes are people of value, people to be cared for with respect, people to be honoured. And we are challenged to open our image of the divine to include vulnerability.

In both stories, it is oppressive political power that makes them refugees. Rome and the king endorsed by Rome are shown to use power in a way that punishes the vulnerable. Both stories reflect the history of Jesus' people as well: in one his family takes refuge in Egypt just as his ancestors had, and in the other, they travel to the home town of the great king David.

In Matthew's story of Jesus' birth, Herod the Great, king at that time, is told by wise men from Persia that a new king has been born. Herod is angry, and when the travelers leave without telling him where to find the child, he sends soldiers to Bethlehem. Jesus' father is warned in a dream and the family escapes. The soldiers murder every child under two in Bethlehem.

Jesus' family lives as refugees in Egypt until a new king takes the throne in Jerusalem. They return to the land but go to live in rural Galilee as far from the seat of political power as they can get.

In Luke's story, the emperor in Rome orders a census for taxation purposes. Joseph travels to Bethlehem to register with Mary who is about to give birth. But the town is bustling with travelers and the inn is full. They find shelter among the animals in a stable. Mary has to give birth with cows and goats, a donkey nearby. There is no fire, only the warmth of animals in the rough shelter. When Jesus is born, he is laid on a bed of hay in a manger to sleep.

When angels are sent to announce the birth, they go to shepherds on a hillside. In that day, shepherds had a bad reputation. The need to find pasture meant they were semi-nomadic. They were treated with suspicion because they lived in the wild, not in town. They were considered unclean and uncivilized. So the first people to hear about the birth of the child who would bring God's presence were people the society did not honour.

The other two stories of Jesus' life start with his baptism, the event that marks the beginning of his mission and ministry. Perhaps they did not know a tradition of his early years, or they simply feel that a focus on his time of work was more central. There are other biographies that did not get included in the canon, the official bible, and these have some interesting childhood stories but not another birth story that I know of.

Both of the official, honoured stories of Jesus' birth include the experience of being driven from home by a political power. This year, our world is faced with a huge refugee crisis. Some are trying to keep these vulnerable people out of their country. Some are working hard to welcome these homeless families into their communities.

As we each figure out our reaction to the desperate situation of so many, it is worth remembering that in the story of Jesus, he begins life as a refugee. As we honour this one who was driven from home, we are challenged to treat modern refugees with respect as well as compassion.

Cathy Hird is a farmer, minister and writer living near Walters Falls.