"For a son has been born for us, a son has been given to us, and dominion has been laid on his shoulders; and this is the name he has been given, Wonderful-Counselor, Mighty-God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:5
Christmas reflections for peace from Bethlehem
At Christmas time, all Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ into the world: the Prince of Peace. Christians believe that the birth of Christ started the process of reconciliation between God and man and the restoration of a relationship of peace between all of God's children.
When Jesus began his ministry, he began with a very important statement of peace that is found in Gospel records saying:
'The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord.' (Luke 4:18)
This passage announces the good news: a message of peace, liberty, freedom and favour from God direct to all people directly from the Prince of Peace - Jesus Christ.
Today in Bethlehem, the citizens of this isolated city are seeking this peace, freedom, liberty and God's favour as they face a very hard political and economic situation in the city of Christ's birth.
These citizens of Bethlehem have thankfully been reminded that they are not forgotten. Many Christians from all over the world have answered the call to come to Bethlehem in solidarity and unity with the people living there. This Christmas has been the most successful tourist season since 2000 with some 30,000 tourists present for Christmas Eve festivities. The increased number of pilgrims was welcomed especially in light of the fact that, due to the building of the Wall and the isolation of city, Bethlehem has almost dropped off the list of holy sites that foreign Christian pilgrims consider as essential locations to visit. In addition, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs showed that the number of tourist buses entering Bethlehem monthly in 2000 was 2,742. In 2004, this number plummeted to 138 buses a month.
Today, this number is slowly improving, but these tourists often enter Bethlehem for a short tour of the Nativity Church to leave as quickly as they came. In addition, with the recent opening of the new terminal at the main checkpoint in Bethlehem, many who have passed through it describe it as an additional impediment to visiting Bethlehem.
Click here to see the flyer.
