Messy Christmas 

By Wissam Nasrallah

December 17, 2024

Ministry, at its core, is relational. This is why it can be messy because people are messy. We are imperfect, and so are those we serve. The messiness becomes even more evident in times of war and displacement that have plagued the Middle East for so long. In the last war between Hezbollah and Israel, we were able to see the brokenness of our word and the impact of sin on almost everything.  

In his book, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, Paul David Tripp argues that “ministry is the ongoing, deliberate engagement with people who are in the process of being transformed by the gospel.” But the process of transformation is often neither clean nor linear. People struggle, regress, face suffering, and deal with deep emotional scars.  

Visiting families crammed into small apartments after being forced to flee their homes on short notice exposes us to the raw realities of life—its suffering, hardship, and pain. This is especially true for children, whose dreams have been shattered and whose futures are uncertain. While we hope for our children to build core memories as they grow, many will be haunted by gore memories. 

Caring for others requires stepping into the messiness of their lives. It’s about walking alongside them in their pain, showing them the love of Christ, and actively listening to their stories rather than being detached observers. It is a draining journey but one we are called to bear because the messiness is where God’s grace often shines brightest. 

This is the very essence of incarnation: Jesus stepping into the mess of humanity becoming one with us in our weakness and suffering. He chose to do so fully knowing the challenges He would face. The world He came to serve was often ungrateful and so will be our ministry. We do not serve for the accolades or applause, but to reflect the love and grace we’ve already received in Jesus. We do it for Him. 

This is what Christmas is all about. It marks the moment when God broke into our sinful, dark world to bring light and salvation. Christmas is the dawn of a new age—the inbreaking of the Light into the darkness. 

As we celebrate the first coming of Christ, our hearts yearn for His second coming, when He will make all things new and restore all that is broken. 

I would like to end with a short poem I wrote for this Christmas: 

Come, Lord Jesus  

In this region, two millennia ago, 

You came in weakness and made Yourself low.  

In love, You walked the path of pain,  

To bring redemption through Your name.  

While humanity perseveres in its rebellion,  

And seeks to build its own dominion,  

Soon O Lord, the skies will part,  

As we see You come in glory, strength, and might.  

To bring justice, peace, and make things right.  

Until then we wait in hope, our eyes on You,  

Trusting in Your promise to make all things new.  

We ask that You use us afresh, make us instruments of grace,  

As we spread Your love and mercy in every place.  

Until You come, we watch and pray:  

Come, Lord Jesus, come today.