January 20, 2008
Epiphany

Dear Friends,

Epiphany greetings this third Sunday in Epiphany and a very blessed New Year. May this season of the manifestation of our Lord be manifested through your lives in the coming year and always.

One of the biblical texts we read at this time is the story of the wise men as it is recorded to us in Matthew 2. The story of the wise men reminds us of the challenges we sometimes need to go through to be in the presence of Jesus and to worship Him. Can you imagine the trouble these oriental kings went through, taking that journey from Iran to Bethlehem via (modern day) Iraq, Syria, and Jordan and into Palestine/Israel, traveling day and night, riding and walking in a harsh desert climate? In 2000, a small group of Christians reenacted the journey of the wise men, attempting to follow their presumed path, sometimes riding camels, sometimes walking beside them. Along the way, they gave gifts to the children in Iraq and Syria and Jordan and Palestine/Israel as a reflection of the Gift of the Christ Child, given to us, our Immanuel.

Nuhad Tomeh  with the family of Sabri Daoud, members of the Presbyterian Church of Basrah who are now refugees in Damascus, Syria.

Today more than ever before, people in the Middle East—especially Christians—need to be reassured of God’s presence. In Iraq, for the first time in their history, Christians are being targeted because of their faith: they are being forced from their homes, kidnapped, and even killed. They wonder about God’s presence; they are asking, “Is God still with us or has He left us for another planet?”

For Palestinians in Israel, the decades of injustice have become unbearable. In Lebanon, people live with unresolved political tensions that frequently lead to outbreaks of violence, an unpredictable future, and a bad economy. So the story of Epiphany—the story of the manifestations of God’s presence and the assurance of His care and love and protection for His people—is needed now more than ever.

Marilyn Borst (right), director of Global Ministry at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, with Dr. Mary Mikhael, president of the Near East School of Theology at NEST's 75th anniversary celebration.

Thankfully, in the past year, Christians in the Middle East have experienced this manifestation through the presence of so many Christians from around the globe who came to reassure them of their unity, solidarity, and encouragement, which remind them that God is still present and that He is honored by their faithful work and witness. One example of this occurred at the Near East School of Theology’s seventy-fifth anniversary celebration in November, when Christians from many countries—including many from the PC(USA)—came to Beirut to participate in the historical event.

As we remember the manifestation of our Lord to His people during Epiphany—let us also be reminded that we can be used to manifest His presence to those facing difficulties, persecution, violence, war, and instability. For people in those dark valleys, we can be the reassurance that our Lord has not left them. And together, as we come into the presence of Immanuel, may our joy and wonder reflect that of the wise men long ago, and may we offer all that we have and all that we are to Him who is our All.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and they fell down and worshiped Him, then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh
Matthew 2: 11

Thank you for supporting Presbyterian World Mission so that people like me can manifest God’s love and care in many parts of the world.

Nuhad Tomeh
Beriut, Lebanon

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 326