Merry Christmas in a different Middle East
By Nabil Costa
December 19, 2024
Psalms 46:6-7
“Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall…The Lord Almighty is with us.”
Everything has changed; nothing is certain
As we approach Christmas this year in the Middle East, everything has changed – almost overnight. The demise of Hezbollah and Hamas, along with the dramatic fall of Assad’s regime to rebel forces, have shocked the world. Our region is being reshaped and restructured; no one knows what will happen next. In Lebanon we live under a fragile ceasefire, dealing with the aftermath of months of bombing. The ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank shows little sign of abating and millions rely on humanitarian assistance.
We do not predict the future; we answer the Lord’s call
News channels and social media commentators make hasty pronouncements and rash predictions. Some think Syria’s battle is won – that the country will now live in peace, with religious freedom, rights for minorities, and economic recovery. Others are less sure, fearing that Syria could follow Iraq with the downfall of one regime ushering in a new era of violence and sectarian conflict. In this transition phase, Islamist radicals add to the uncertainty.
However, our job is not to predict the future, nor to be blown back and forth by the winds of opinion or be paralyzed by fear. Instead, we must answer the Lord’s call, remembering His faithfulness over the past year. As we look ahead, we seek His wisdom in our planning to address the emerging needs of our region.
Strengthening the Syrian church
It is time to push forward, embracing the unknown rather than shrinking back. We must trust that the Lord reigns. Our projects in Lebanon will continue, serving the marginalised, refugees, and those traumatised by the recent war. However, the situation is different now, and we must see with fresh eyes and be willing to take risks to fulfill our mission of strengthening the witness of the local church.
It is time to channel new human resources — time, skills, talents, and hands — to serve our brothers and sisters in Syria. Waves of believers have left our region this year and the presence of Christians has never been more vital. As we serve together with the global church and the local missions, we will seek to empower the Syrian church by identifying, training, and equipping a new generation of local Christian leaders to face an unknown future that could be even more hostile than the past.
Let’s build together
As kingdoms fall around us, we believe that the Lord is establishing a kingdom that is not dependent on human power or tied to geographical territories, but defined by love, compassion, and justice.
As we approach the end of 2024, our region urgently needs prayer and mobilization. We shall not dwell on past mistakes or missed opportunities, but instead, learn from them and take bold steps forward.
We pray that 2025 will be a year of peace and unity for the entire Middle East. May all nations in the region find common ground and work together to build a future free from conflict and suffering.
On behalf of Thimar’s team, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year filled with blessings.