By Kathleen Murdock

(Kathleen Murdock is a founding member of the Jubilee House Community from 45 years ago, and has worked with its project in Nicaragua, the Center for Development in Central America, for the past 30 years.)

I am a Christian. Many of you who read this are of different faiths or of no faith. This reflection is about the Christmas story found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke and I hope all of you will bear with me and keep reading.

We tend to think of the birth of Jesus in relation to nativity sets (creches), the sweet imps in church playing their roles in the Christmas pageant, and carols like Silent Night and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

From the accounts in the two gospels, we have a much different story altogether with heavier implications.

First, Mary gave birth in a stable; thus, Jesus was born homeless.

Joseph and Mary had gone to Bethlehem to register with the occupying empire (Rome) to pay tribute. They, along with most Israelites, were not wealthy, which means Jesus was born into poverty.

The known people who recognized Jesus’ potential greatness were common folk (shepherds) because that’s who the angels decided to tell, and international scientists who studied astronomy. Jesus was first worshiped by scientists and regular people.

The powerful who discovered his birth were threatened by what they heard and so ordered Jesus’ death as a little one. Being warned, Joseph and Mary whisked Jesus away to Egypt to keep him safe; then Jesus was an immigrant / a refugee.

Many other parents of little boys were not warned and thus helplessly watched as their children were slaughtered at the hands of Roman soldiers. Jesus barely escaped a massacre.

So, when I say I’m a Christian that means I HAVE to write and talk about politics and the threats on the lives of the vulnerable. I have to talk about international politics and occupying forces because Jesus lived under all that. The heartaches, poverty, and massacres that occupying nations impose is evil.

I have to talk about science. Scientists worshiped Jesus as a baby. Scientists followed a star and scientists can show us how we are to follow Jesus regarding so many issues like climate, hunger, water, disease, etc.

I have to talk about economics because Jesus was poor and homeless. I have to talk about policies because Jesus was an immigrant / a refugee.

So many people in the States and across the globe are afraid now. And rightfully so; we are moving into a new world order and there is a mean edge to it.

The angels said, “Be not afraid for we bring tidings of great joy. A child has been born unto you who is Christ the Lord.” That babe grew up and called us to love and love and love. He told us to give and give and give…to heal and heal and heal…to liberate and liberate and liberate. He told us when we do this for others, we do this for him.

We also cannot forget that later he was executed as a threat to the state and the religion of his time…by the powerful.

There is a resurrection coming…until then we do what’s right.

* * * * *

Briefs
By Nan McCurdy 

Newborn Care Strengthened 
On Dec. 16, the Ministry of Health delivered ten new neonatal thermal incubators to the Carlos Marx Hospital in Managua to strengthen the care of premature or low birth weight newborns. The equipment will be installed in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit and will improve the quality of life of more than 200 babies who receive care in this specialized area every year. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/fortalecen-atencion-a-recien-nacidos-en-managua/ (La Primerisima, 16 December 2024)

New Fully Equipped Mobile Clinics are in Operation
On December 6, 2024, five new fully equipped mobile clinics became operational. This will help the Ministry of Health in serving 1.7 million people living in the departments of Estelí, Nueva Segovia, Masaya, Jinotega and the North Caribbean. These units have two rooms, one for gynecological care and the other for dentistry; they have a dental chair, gynecological bed, portable ultrasound, dental instruments, air conditioning system, hydro-sanitary system, among other things to create a good experience for the patients. See Photos: https://nicaraguasandino.com/entregan-nuevas-clinicas-moviles-completamente-equipadas/  (Nicaragua Sandino, 5 December, 2024)

Patients Suffering with Hip and Knee Problems Undergo Surgery
A total of 55 hip and knee replacement surgeries were performed by Nicaraguan specialists during the mega orthopedic health fair that took place on Dec. 14 at the Camilo Ortega Regional Hospital in Juigalpa, Chontales. During the mega health fair, doctors served 3,919 patients from the department of Chontales. During the activity, injuries to children were treated, as well as problems of the shoulder, knee and ankle joints. Electromyography and X-ray studies were also performed. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/operan-a-50-pacientes-con-problemas-cadera-y-rodillas/ (La Primerisima, 15 December 2024)

The XXIV ALBA-TCP Summit: Unity and New projects for Latin America
The XXIV Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) took place in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 14, 2024, in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of its founding. This meeting brought together leaders of member countries, such as Nicaragua, Cuba and Bolivia, as well as Caribbean nations and international representatives, reaffirming their commitment to integration, solidarity and social justice. During the event, important initiatives were approved, highlighting the Agro-ALBA project, focused on the sustainable production of organic food to strengthen food security. In addition, the reactivation of the ALBA Councils of Ministers in key areas such as energy, tourism and health was announced.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in his speech that “The great productive and economic project known as Agro-ALBA for food sovereignty with organic and healthy food for all the peoples of Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond is born today.” The president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, underscored the role of ALBA as an integration project that has fought for peace and justice in the region. He also denounced the constant external threats that seek to destabilize member countries. “It is really admirable the energy and effort, the dedication to the defense of the people that is carried out day by day. In spite of the sanctions, in spite of the attacks, in spite of the defamations, the slanders, this is a people loyal to Chávez, loyal to Bolivar. Today, 20 years after its inception, we are more committed than ever to continue moving forward,” Ortega said. “We have to continue incorporating new initiatives such as those we have shared today. And, in the midst of a world where the imperialists of the earth continue to murder the world’s peoples, ALBA, with the flag and soul of Fidel and Chávez, says to you: we will not fail you and we will continue to fight the battle,” he concluded. (TN8, 15 December 2024)

Nicaragua Broke Record in International Loans
“This year, foreign financing reached figures never seen in previous periods, closing with US$1.26 billion,” said National Assembly Deputy Wálmaro Gutiérrez, chair of the Economy and Budget Committee. During 2024, the committee analyzed, consulted, and passed nine international loans exceeding by 29.2% the 2022-2023 period and in absolute terms US$232.2 million more in comparison. Among the main sources of financing during 2024 were the People’s Republic of China with US$850 million; Saudi Arabia’s Fund for Development with US$103 million; and the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus with US$72.9 million. Some of the approved projects with the greatest expected impact are the US$400 million for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the International Airport in Punta Huete, the US$248 million for the second stage of the Pacific Coastal Highway, US$9.1 million in machinery for the repair of highways and roads nationwide, US$63.8 million for the purchase of machinery for all the mayors’ offices in the country, US$27.3 million for the construction of three butane gas storage spheres, US$68 million for the construction of the Photovoltaic Plant in Matagalpa, US$103 million for the construction of the new Carlos Centeno Hospital in Las Minas, US$70.5 million for the construction project of the Masaya Photovoltaic Plant, and US$33.8 million for SINAPRED for disaster prevention and response. Gutierrez said that these loans strengthen the General Budget of the Republic and the confidence of external officials in Nicaragua’s capacity, execution and development of projects. He added that 2025 augurs an even better year in economic matters, with the stability and security that has been recognized by international economic entities. (La Primerisima, 12 December 2024)

“There are Extra-Regional Interests to Isolate Nicaragua”
On Dec. 12, Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke said that there is a political reason for Nicaragua’s failure to gain appointment of a Nicaraguan as the new Secretary General of the Central American Integration System (SICA), an appointment that corresponds to Nicaragua this year. “There are political interests imposed by some states in SICA, but there are also interests from outside the region which is what has always affected Central America; it has always been the outsider, the invader, the one who wants to create addiction among our countries,” stated Jaentschke in an interview in Studio tn8. “We are absolutely sure they are trying to isolate Nicaragua and we will not allow that. And also, our relations in the world are increasingly with more countries; our economic, political and cooperation relations have expanded,” he added. “There is an attempt at imposition by some countries that is now clear; in a communiqué those outside interests said that they do not agree with Nicaragua taking over the general secretariat of SICA,” Jaentschke said. The Foreign Minister pointed out that the obstructionist attitude began in 2021 with the attempt to impose SICA’s secretary general when by right it now should go to Nicaragua.

In 1991 the Central American Integration System was formed with the purpose of promoting greater unity and integration among Central American countries.

Panama, Belize and the Dominican Republic were added later and so eight countries now form SICA. Jaentschke explained that the Tegucigalpa protocol is the fundamental constitution on which all decisions and actions in SICA are based and among the different protocols are the election of a secretary general which rotates among the members. SICA also includes a president, a council of foreign ministers, as well as the Central American Court of Justice, the Central American Parliament and the Economic Integration System; the latter has functioned more autonomously. (La Primerisima, 12 December 2024)

More Buses and a Plan to Reduce Traffic Accidents
On Dec. 13 President Daniel Ortega announced that a plan is being worked on with the National Police to reduce deaths in traffic accidents. “Motorcyclists [of which there are tens of thousands], those who speed, drive under the influence or drive recklessly should not be surprised when the police stop them; and they could have their driver’s licenses taken away, prohibiting them for a certain period of time from driving” said the President.

During the ceremony to receive 400 new Chinese buses, destined for the Caribbean Coast and several departments of the country, President Ortega reiterated the call for drivers to be more careful, because their lives and those of the passengers are in their hands. “We have many traffic accidents, it is terrible to see the pain of the relatives who see dead, wounded, and seriously injured family and friends lying on the street. So, the responsibility is great for bus drivers; we trust you will be the first to take care of these vehicles, so that there are not so many accidents.”

President Ortega sent a message to President Xi Jinping through Chinese Ambassador Chen Xi, saying on that December 13, on the day of the birth of Camilo Ortega, the Apostle of Unity, in the company of drivers of conscience, 400 buses were delivered to be used by the people of Nicaragua. He said that 250 buses were delivered in October of last year, then in November 250, in May of this year 250, in July 250, in August 100 units and today, and now 400 buses, for a total of 3,000 buses.

Lumberto Campbell, the Coordinator of the Secretariat for Caribbean Coast Affairs, emphasized that attendees were witnessing a historic event with the delivery of so many new buses for the Caribbean Coast. He noted that, “In 2007, the government announced that it was going to create the conditions for connectivity between the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast and the Pacific and there were many doubts … but in the last few years we have fulfilled that promise.” He recalled that, under the Somoza dictatorship and the three neoliberal governments [from 1990 to 2007] the trip from Bilwi on the North Caribbean Coast to Managua took three days, a real odyssey. Going from Bluefields to Managua took a day and a half. Campbell said, “We changed that story with new roads and now it takes less than eight hours to drive from Bluefields to Managua. And last week we inaugurated the last 25 kilometers of hydraulic concrete to have 100 percent of the road paved from Managua to Bilwi. This is only possible because there is … strong leadership that watches out for the benefit of all Nicaraguans, particularly those of the Coast. Today the coastal people are traveling in quality buses, … a dream come true, I only wish my grandfather and my father could see this. It is only possible with a revolution!” (La Primerisima, 13 December 2024)