Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

The Still Point of the Turning World

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Christmas reminds us of the certainties in a world of uncertainty.

“At the still point of the turning world,” T. S. Eliot writes in “Burnt Norton.” That’s where Christmas is. “Except for the point, the still point,” he adds, “There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.” For Christians, Christmas is one of the still points of the turning world, as the great feast days of other religions are for their adherents. In an age of such uncertainty as ours, these days serve as anchors amid all the turning and shifting, reminding us of the truths that remain eternal, no matter how much they may escape our notice amid the welter of the daily rush of events.

As Christmas 2024 approaches, the believers in the birth of him who is celebrated on that day are under attack everywhere. In Syria, despite assurances from the new jihadi overlords of much of the country, a church has been attacked, and a Christian couple has been murdered. The world holds its breath, waiting for what is to come next, as the jihadis have declared their intention to impose Sharia and subjugate the Christians.

At the same time, not only did a man whom Germany welcomed and gave refuge murder multiple people and injure many others in a vehicular attack on a German Christmas market, but German authorities are trying to use his massacre to silence any lingering criticism of the policies they have pursued and continue to pursue that will ultimately result in the Islamization of Germany and the marginalization, subjugation, and eventual extinction of the native Christians.

Those same authorities, meanwhile, foiled several Islamic jihad plots at Christmas markets. What once were joyous and carefree celebrations of the indigenous culture of the people are now tense affairs marred by multiple vehicle barriers and a heavy police presence. Christmas is still celebrated in Germany, but only as under siege.

That is not true just in Germany. Open Doors reported Thursday that several churches in Bangladesh received a letter from “a local hard-line Muslim political party.” ​This letter read: “On Christmas day, at the same time together in 64 Districts, we have plans for that night. We are coming for you – anytime and anywhere. Many local people have complained against you. You have been converting Muslim people to Christianity for a long time by luring them with money.…Get ready with your perfect answers when questioned on these matters. We are coming for you – anytime and anywhere. Also, you are not going to enjoy your upcoming Christmas meal – before eating remember to say your goodbyes to all your family members and to the world. Alongside this, we give a very special farewell to those who have converted from Islam to Christianity in the Rangpur district.”

In ostensibly secular but rapidly re-Islamizing Turkey, the lone Christian member of the Turkish parliament, George Aslan, recently tried to deliver a Christmas message to his parliamentary colleague, only to find that the deputy speaker of the parliament, Bekir Bozdag, had turned off his microphone. Aslan noted the obvious double standard: “When verses from the Koran are recited here, the microphone is not turned off. Because they say it’s a holy language. The language I just spoke is Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ. If holiness matters, this is a holy language too. Then the microphone should also be turned off when the Koranic verses are recited.”

Meanwhile, in “moderate” Indonesia,” according to Morning Star News, Muslims in one village “stopped a church choir from rehearsing on Sunday evening (Dec. 1) for a Christmas service on the false premise that the Christians needed permission from community leaders.” In Australia, “the Myer’s annual Christmas windows display in Bourke Street mall, which normally draws thousands of visitors, was forced to cancel its events after threats by pro-Palestinian protesters.”

In a similar vein in Britain, a village school headteacher sent a letter to parents, telling them that in an upcoming performance of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” no reference to Christmas would be made. “We have a number of families who either do not celebrate Christmas,” the headteacher explained, “or do so in a different way. The children of these families are removed from events such as this, at the request of their parents. As this is not a Christmas event, but a pantomime, it can be enjoyed by everyone wit [sic] the changes we have requested. We are keen that ALL of our children should enjoy the pantomime and for it to be a fully inclusive event, have removed Christmas songs from the production.”

When they talk about being “inclusive,” they mean avoiding offending Muslims. No other group would conceivably be offended by a Christmas festival. And when Muslims are firmly in charge in shattered, staggering, dhimmi Britain, will they return the favor and be careful to be “inclusive” to non-Muslims? What do you think?

And so the Feast of the Nativity for the Year of Our Lord 2024 is almost upon us, and Christians the world over are on the defensive. If they’re not the victims of violence, they’re told not to make too much of a fuss about one of their central feasts — or else. If not that, they’re subject to the scorn and ridicule of the intelligentsia which continues to invite their ancient enemy into their lands in massive numbers.

Yet the feast itself reminds us: all these events are turning around the still point. The ultimate victory is not to be found at the end of all these acts of persecution and marginalization, large and small. The more important battle, and harder won victory, lies elsewhere. That is the lesson of the day: that however much the forces arrayed against what is good and what makes for a fruitful and joyful human society may seem to have won, they have not. Amid all the bloodshed and loss and deprivation, we know those forces do not have the the last word. Hope is the promise that the flower, however withered, will blossom again. And it will. At the still point of the turning world.

Comments

    • Thanks for that link, Larry. A different kind of “still point”–out on the dance floor. Fun stuff, if a bit sad. You aren’t going to find romance, dance, and music in orthodox Islam.

  2. There is Scripture in the Hebrew verses of the Bible which often comes to mind when I read of such things. It concerns the prophet Elisha and his servant who were under attack by the army of Syria. (found in the Book of Second Kings)

    “When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.
    “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
    And Elisha prayed, and said, Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (a Heavenly army of angels)
    And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto Jehovah, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.”

    This is the way it is with Christians. We know there are “more with us than there are against us” because Jehovah God, His Son, Jesus Christ and all of the heavenly angels stand ready for “the great battle on the Day of Jehovah” which is very near.

    • We know how it ends! Thank you for your message today Somehistory.

      And Merry Christmas, and all the blessings of Jesus Christ to you and yours.

      I pray for all believers, many in terrible straits in parts of the world, as we speak. Yes there are many more for us, we don’t need to be afraid, even if it’s death we are facing.

      I believe everyone has to be prepared, all the while knowing that whatever comes our way, we know whatever the temptation is, it is not above what we can stand as individuals. We have that promise. Even unto death. The temptation to betray the Lord, to recant, to become a MUSLIM, is a real thing when a person might be facing down death or worse, torture. Lord, give us strength! If we give up at the end, it’s all for nothing!

      I am convinced that whatever we have to go through, we will be given what we need, to endure, to pass through, to go around it, whatever the Lord has in mind.

      As things become increasingly crazy, we will see Israel in the crosshairs. We will see people rejecting the Jews, as they are now, increasing all the time. It may be that to not betray a Jew or Israel will be the test. For Corrie Ten Boom and her family that was the case. Old Papa Ten Boom was offered a way out, instead of the concentration camp, if he would stop helping Jews. He said no, I’d only keep trying to help them. “Ok, off to the trains with you.”

      Thankfully we have the Holy One of Israel, Jesus, Joshua, Yeshua, Jesu–whatever his name in whatever language, he is the Messiah, the King who will reign from Jerusalem!

      I pray for protection on Robert Spencer and all writers and those who work to make the world aware of what’s going on, and the reality and significance of Jihad in the world today, and historically.

      God bless us every one!

      • Thank you, St. Croix

        Your comment reminds me of so many Scriptures….one being Jesus inviting us under His yoke which is “kindly” and His “load is light.” which means He helps us carry what we must.

        Another being what the Apostle Paul wrote about God not letting us “be tempted beyond what we can bear, but making the way out for us to endure.” He also wrote that “nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ.”
        And Peter telling us that whatever is our circumstance in the world, there are other Christians facing the same things.

        And one from the Hebrew Scriptures, “Ten men will take hold of the skirt of a man who is a Jew, saying “‘We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people.”
        One more from Jesus; “The one who endures to the end, is the one that will be saved.”‘
        Be it the end of all evil, or the end of our life, Jesus will see that we receive a reward for our faith.
        whatever comes our way, we have the Scriptures to help us “fight the fine fight of the faith.” And come off “conquering the world.” Because Jesus “conquered the world,” before us.

        We are living in special times. Hard times, but incredibly important.

      • Amen!
        May all of us who name the Name of Christ be wary, but live and act in faith as persecution worsens.
        And let us not forget our brothers and sisters who labor for the gospel in places where they are hated, and pray for them.

    • Thank you for the message of hope and Merry Christmas! Thanks also to RS for the beautiful opening and remembrance of the persecuted.

  4. I saw a report that the church of England told the preachers to change the words of the Christmas carols so they wouldn’t offend people (mozlums of course).
    The church was asked about it and denied telling anyone to change anything….but in their explanation, it was clear that they really did tell them to change the words. They said not everyone accepted that Jesus is Who Christians say He is and that might offend those people.
    I forget their exact wording, but it was clear that they wanted things changed to placate mozlums who might hear the carols and object..

  5. The Still Point of the Turning World
    ………………………………………..

    Beautiful and tragic peace on persecution from Robert Spencer. Thank you.

    A Merry Christmas to Robert Spencer and his family, to David Wood and his family, to all the contributors, posters, and readers here at Jihad Watch, who celebrate Christmas as a religious or secular holiday, or both!

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