Reflection: Christmas, International Development, and Emmanuel

WCIU Journal: Worldview Topic

December 17, 2019

by Beth Snodderly

See other Reflections in the Scripture as International Development series.

On a classical radio station recently I heard the music of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and wondered, Do people realize what they are listening to at Christmastime? This Christmas carol is talking about God being with us, the light shining in the dark, our sins being cast out, singing praises to God, and peace on earth!

This Christmas carol concludes, “Oh, come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!” Emmanuel: God with us! In singing this, we are praying for international development: for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. (See the WCIU Press book, The Goal of International Development.) When God is with a society, it develops according to the principles of God’s will with the result of some degree of peace on earth, shalom, right relationships with God, people, and creation.

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by.
  Yet in thy dark streets shineth
  The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
  O morning stars, together
  Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God, the King,
And peace to men on earth.

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sins and enter in,
Be born to us today.
  We hear the Christmas angels
  The great glad tidings tell:
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

Image credit: Wikimedia commons