As Christians all over the globe celebrate Christmas this year, they do so in a world that is in turmoil, with many parts gripped by violence and scarred by unconscionable atrocities.
At the time of this writing, the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022, rages on, with considerable casualties on both sides and extensive damage to infrastructure. Despite international efforts to broker peace, the end of this war—which has displaced millions and created a humanitarian crisis—remains elusive.
The situation in the Middle East continues to be tense and volatile due to the war between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2023, and which has brought the region to the brink of full-scale conflict.
In addition, there are political unrest and violent conflicts in many parts of the globe, which are overshadowed by the media’s focus on Europe and the Middle East. They include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Myanmar and Latin America.
Besides these war zones and hotspots, an increase in urban violence in major cities such as Chicago, Johannesburg and Rio de Janeiro have also been reported.
According to one report, there have been more than 385 mass shootings across the United States from January to September 2024.1 Another report states that as of 5 September, “at least 11,598 people have died from gun violence in the US this year—an average of almost 47 deaths each day …”2
Violent extremism associated with terrorist organisations continues to be a global threat in 2024. France, Germany and the UK continue to face the threat of attacks from both Islamist extremists and far-right militants. In Africa, terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and affiliates of the Islamic State (ISIS) continue in their campaigns of terror and violence.
What does it mean to celebrate Christmas in a world that is wrecked in so many places by violence, conflict and hate?
For Christians, it must mean that we set aside the childish superficialities and the kitsch that is sometimes associated with the festival and return to the very essence of Christmas. For Christmas reveals this stark reality: that we are a fallen race inhabiting a fallen reality, and desperately in need of a saviour.
For Christmas reveals this stark reality: that we are a fallen race inhabiting a fallen reality, and desperately in need of a saviour.
The Saviour has indeed arrived on the first Christmas when the world was engulfed by the darkness of violence, hatred and despair—to bring light and salvation. As Isaiah had perceived so many centuries ago, with the Saviour’s appearance, “[t]he people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2).
Christians can celebrate Christmas in a violent world because Christmas is a powerful reminder that God has not forgotten or abandoned his fallen creatures. In celebrating Christmas amidst the turmoil and distress, Christians proclaim God’s love and commitment to his creation, especially the creatures he has created in his image.
Christians can celebrate Christmas in a violent world because Christmas is a powerful reminder that God has not forgotten or abandoned his fallen creatures. In celebrating Christmas amidst the turmoil and distress, Christians proclaim God’s love and commitment to his creation, especially the creatures he has created in his image.
In this profound sense, celebrating Christmas in a broken world is an act of defiance against the forces of darkness that are at war with the Creator. The celebration is an eloquent declaration that because God is indeed with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23), Christians can be joyful in the midst of suffering and demonstrate uncommon love in the midst of hate.
Because of Christmas, therefore, Christians dare to hope. Because of Christmas, Christians can be a people of hope.
For Christians, the birth of Jesus Christ is not simply a historical event but a promise of the future which God had decreed before the foundation of the world.
Through the public ministry of his incarnate Son, his lonely death on the cross and his glorious resurrection, God has made possible for his creation a future marked with his Shalom, not conflict.
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has vanquished all his enemies—the evil spiritual forces at work in the world, the principalities and powers that dare to oppose the Almighty One. As the apostle Paul has so arrestingly put it, Christ has “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross” (Colossians 2:15 NLT).
In celebrating Christmas, Christians not only look back at the humble manger in Bethlehem. They also look forward to God’s promised future in the new heaven and the new earth. This is a future made sure by the sacrificial ministry of the Prince of Peace, a future of everlasting peace which Isaiah saw even before the first Christmas:
[T]hey shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (Isaiah 2:4).
This hope should spur Christians to action. In celebrating Christmas, Christians must also allow God to use them as instruments and conduits of peace: to be peacemakers themselves (Matthew 5:9), and to exercise the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21).
In this way, Christians can truly be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16), reflecting that great Light who came into this world of sin and darkness on the first Christmas.
1 “How many US mass shootings have there been in 2024?,” BBC, September 5, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41488081.
2 Kiara Alfonseca, “About 11,600 people have died in US gun violence so far in 2024,” ABC News, September 6, 2024, https://abcnews.go.com/US/gun-violence-claimed-lives-5000-people-2024/story?id=107262776.
Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor at the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity.