Carol Concerts, Christian Nationalism, and the Biblical Call to Love
Photo by James Lynch
James Lynch
CEO, Welcome Churches
On Wednesday, I was delighted to attend a service at Westminster Abbey, attended by His Majesty the King, celebrating Christian Witness in Advent. It was a beautiful service, held in one of the most historic Christian buildings in the UK, with contributions from Christian communities from across the Middle East, with readings and Christmas songs in Syriac, Greek, Coptic as well as English.
Jesus of Nazareth, his disciples, and the early Christian communities lived in first-century Judea and Galilee, regions that are part of modern-day Israel/Palestine, where people were ethnically Middle Eastern Jews, not Europeans. The earliest Christian movement emerged within the diverse societies of the eastern Mediterranean, shaped by Jewish traditions, Aramaic language, and the cultural influences of the Levant, Syria, and North Africa. For its first centuries, Christianity spread primarily through Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean populations - long before it became associated with Europe.
Recent reports of Tommy Robinson’s conversion to Christianity have provoked strong reactions. For some, his statements represent a theological and ideological shift. For others, they raise questions about the use of Christian language to support political narratives - particularly those tied to nationalism, identity, and cultural protectionism. Whatever one’s view of Robinson himself, it is worth stepping back and asking what Christianity actually teaches about community, nationhood, and how followers of Jesus should relate to those who are different from them.
The Bible is unequivocal about how believers are to treat their neighbours - including those outside their own tribe, ethnicity, or social group. When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, He paired the call to “love the Lord your God” with “love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30–31). In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus dismantles narrow definitions of neighbour by making a despised outsider the example of compassion. This story rebukes boundary-drawing and invites believers into expansive, indiscriminate love.
The Old Testament also repeatedly commands God’s people to welcome those who are different. “You shall love the foreigner as yourself,” says Leviticus 19:34, reminding Israel that they too were once strangers in another land. Deuteronomy 10: 17-19 "For the Lord ... loves the foreigner... and you are to love those who are foreigners." echoes this call, portraying hospitality not as an optional extra but as a core expression of God’s character: “For the Lord loves the foreigner… so you also must love them.”
These teachings challenge any ideology - even one using Christian language - that elevates national identity above the universal call to love. Christian nationalism often frames certain groups as threats or outsiders, yet the gospel consistently breaks down dividing walls of hostility (Ephesians 2:14). Jesus welcomed tax collectors, Samaritans, Roman centurions, and sinners of every kind. The early church became a radically diverse community, united not by ethnicity or national loyalty but by shared faith in Christ.
Christianity is not a banner for cultural defence; it is a call to sacrificial love. Its values include acceptance, welcome, and inclusion- which stand in tension with narratives that divide or exclude. Ultimately, the measure of authentic Christian faith is not how loudly we defend “Christian heritage,” but how faithfully we follow Christ in loving our neighbour, welcoming the stranger, and seeking peace for all.
If you would like to read more about this discussion:
Jon Kuhrt, "Tommy Robinson’s Carol Concert: show naïve grace or face the ugly truth?" (Grace + Truth Blog, 9 Dec 2025)
Ravi Holy, "In what sense is Tommy Robinson a genuine Christian? None that I can see" (The Guardian, 10 Dec 2025)
Francis Martin, "‘We are better than this,’ Southwark bishops say in response to Tommy Robinson carol service" (Church Times, 10 Dec 2025)
George Pitcher, "Why Unite the Kingdom’s Christmas rally misses the point of Christianity" (Premier Christianity, 11 Dec 2025)
Helen Paynter, "Keep Calm and Carry On" (Evangelical Alliance, 8 Dec 2025)
The Joint Public Issues Team, "Is Tommy Robinson the person to put Christ back into Christmas?" (Join Public Issue Team, 3 Dec 2025)
At Welcome Churches, we are committed to creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for refugees and people seeking asylum. Your support makes this possible. If you, like us, believe in the power of learning from lived experiences and fostering genuine expertise, consider partnering with us. Your donation helps us continue our work of integration, advocacy, and community-building.
Donate today and be a part of creating lasting change.