Jesus was a Refugee - Living Nativity in Trafalgar Square

Image: ICN/JS

There was a living Nativity scene on the steps of St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square on Saturday morning - with Joseph and Mary carrying Baby Jesus, donkeys and sheep. They were surrounded by members of several different churches holding banners with messages such as: 'Refugees Are Welcome' - 'Jesus Was a Refugee' - 'Love Your Neighbours - That's Includes the Ones in Hotels' - 'God Loves the World - That Means Everyone.'

After a welcome to the Christ in the Stranger event by Dr Krish Kandiah, founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, a charity supporting refugees to find welcome, work and worthwhile house in the UK, Tommy Sharpe and Rev Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin in the Fields gave the readings. David Joey Mitchell read a poem.

Baptist Minister Sally Mann from East Ham, then introduced herself saying: "I'm a fourth generation Cockney living on the same street where my great grandmother, a Jewish immigrant made her home".

"I invite you to pray with me for those who are hurt by the rising tide of racism ignorance and intolerance. Let's pray for protection over those targeted by these hateful intentions - wrapped in flags and worse still pinned to crosses.

"Dear Jesus we pray for those who now feel unsafe on streets lined with flags. For the mothers of little black sones, the families who thought the days of racial abuse was a thing of the past. For refugees and those seeking sanctuary on the shores - now made to feel their lives don't matter.

"In the words of the familiar carol 'Be near them Lord Jesus . We ask you to stay close by them forever , and love them we pray. Bless all your dear children in thy tender care . And fit us together to live for you hear.'"

She prayed for all Christians to see Jesus among the displaced, to find the manger beneath the rubble and keel with outcast and dispossessed.

Finally Sally offered prayers "for those who seek to take Christ's name in vain this day. Those who would attempt to stoke hatred with Jesus' Gospel of peace…

The final hymn was Hark the Herald Angels Sing - before participants left for St Paul's Cathedral - for another 'pop-up' Christmas tableaux and prayers.

The service was the first of several events organised by different groups as a peaceful response to Tommy Robinson's planned 'Put Christ back in Christmas' protest planned outside Downing Street for the afternoon. (The last march he organised in September had attracted more than 100,000 racist supporters carrying many racist messages, and throwing bottles and other projectiles. 26 police officers were injured - four of them seriously. Saturday's demo seems to have been much smaller and more peaceful.)

See more pictures on ICN's Facebook page. More reports to follow.

LINK

Sanctuary Foundation: https://sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/