Were it not for the sanctuary that Egypt provided to Jews during the reign of Caesar Augustus, Christians might not have a Christmas to celebrate. The Gospel of Matthew says that the new-born Jesus and his family fled to Egypt from Bethlehem to escape his death at the hands of King Herod. Matthew’s account of events tells us that Jesus and his family were refugees--forced to leave their home to escape mortal danger. They had asylum in Egypt until Herod died and it was safe to return home.
Jesus became a powerful advocate for the poor, downtrodden and oppressed. He spoke of our responsibility to love one another, including the “stranger.” In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus makes it clear that those who treated strangers with kindness would inherit His kingdom. On the other hand, those who refused to take in strangers, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give drink to the thirsty would not.
These words were in keeping with a strong biblical tradition that preceded Christianity. Deuteronomy and Exodus are replete with verses admonishing the Jews to treat foreigners with kindness and compassion--Deuteronomy 27:19, “Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner” and 10:19, “And you are to love those who are foreigners.” Exodus 12:49, “The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you” and 22:21, “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” Almost every religion on Earth extolls similar values.
America’s founding fathers heartily embraced these compassionate edicts. In 1783, George Washington told us: “The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respected Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges…” That same year, John Adams said: “It is our business to render our country an asylum, worthy to receive all who may wish to fly to it.”
America has a proud tradition of providing asylum for the oppressed from every corner of the Earth. We are obligated to do so under international and domestic law. The United States also has a high moral duty to provide refuge to endangered foreigners who have had to flee their country because of improvident military actions the U.S. has engaged in over the years, including wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
After retiring from the Idaho Supreme Court in 2017, I had the privilege of working with refugees who came to Idaho from across the world. I can attest that they are truly remarkable American patriots. They understand the value of living in a society where there is opportunity for all, as well as freedom from fear and arbitrary governmental action, at least until recently. Like all of the nationalities that came here before them to this great melting pot of humanity, they will be model citizens, if given the chance.
This country, as great and warm-hearted as it is, has had momentary lapses in the past when it has treated refugees and other immigrants badly because of anxiety stirred up by fearmongers. Irish migrants who fled the Potato Famine in 1845-1852 were subjected to great abuse, even after their sons fought valiantly to save the Union during the Civil War. After imported Chinese workers risked life and limb to build the western section of the intercontinental railroad, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, based on unfounded fears. The Immigration Act of 1924 was designed to hinder immigrants from Italy, East European Jews and East Asians and, again, was driven by the politics of fear. Japanese Americans on the West Coast were rounded up and unjustly imprisoned during World War II, even while their sons were fighting and dying for America in the European Theater of that war.
As a Vietnam veteran who had many South Vietnamese friends, I was highly incensed by the behavior of some of my fellow Americans after the fall of South Vietnam in April of 1975. They claimed that the refugees from Vietnam would endanger our country and should be denied asylum. The fearmongers were wrong because we resettled over one million Vietnamese refugees and they have proven to be valuable additions to American society. Those Afghans who served with and protected U.S. forces in Afghanistan should have the same opportunity.
After each of these shameful episodes, we have looked back and regretted giving into fear stoked by demagogues. Let’s not let it happen again. Remember that we are only able to celebrate Christmas because Egypt gave sanctuary to Jesus and his family.