Christians from around the world are these days celebrating one of the most important events in Christian history, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Families are gathering together remembering the day when Christ was born in the little town called Bethlehem. Over the next few days the word “Bethlehem” will be repeated thousands upon thousands of times in different churches, Sunday schools, Christmas pageants, and Christmas carols all over the world. As we sit here in Bethlehem, just a few blocks away from where it all happened, we can only wonder: What will people think of when the say the word “Bethlehem” this Christmas season?
Christians from around the world are these days celebrating one of the most important events in Christian history, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Families are gathering together remembering the day when Christ was born in the little town called Bethlehem. Over the next few days the word “Bethlehem” will be repeated thousands upon thousands of times in different churches, Sunday schools, Christmas pageants, and Christmas carols all over the world. As we sit here in Bethlehem, just a few blocks away from where it all happened, we can only wonder: What will people think of when they say the word “Bethlehem” this Christmas season?
Will “Bethlehem” be just another word in passing, part of a tradition that repeats itself year after year? Will people remember Bethlehem of the past as the little town full of calm, quite, and clear skies on a cold December eve? Will people remember it for its present, as a city with destroyed buildings and hundreds of broken hearts, where the calm of the night is split by the sound of gunfire and missiles; the quite is interrupted by the sound of military helicopters, and where its residents have been confined for over a year not able to travel or work? Or will they think of Bethlehem and its future, pray for its peace and freedom from oppression and aggression so that one day it can reclaim its purity and serenity?
What does “Bethlehem” mean to you this Christmas season?
The sad reality is that Bethlehem is not the only city in Palestine living through such a horrible present, and Palestine is certainly not the only country suffering from aggression, terror and war. While many families around the world will celebrate this season remembering extraordinary historic events for all three monolithic religions (Islam, Judaism and Christianity), many families from these three faiths as well as others will not celebrate; they will be mourning and crying. Their hearts will be full of grief as they remember the loss of innocent loved ones to war and terror. What are we doing to ease the pain of those who suffer? What are we doing to prevent others from going through similar experiences in the future?
There seem to be so many questions this season and so few answers, but this must not stop us all from working even harder than before to help those in need, seek the rights of those who are oppressed, pray for those who do evil so that their hearts might see the light of justice, and finally treat each other as equals having equal rights, aspirations and dreams to live in dignity and peace.
From all of us here in Bethlehem, we would like to wish you a peaceful and joyous Christmas. We ask you for your continuous prayers and support for peace in the city and land where two thousand years ago the Prince of Peace opened his eyes for the first time and smiled, as he laid safe and secure in the warm arms of his Mother.
In Peace,
Holy Land Trust – Palestine
