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“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is one of my favorite times of the year, and not only because of all the wonderful food. I appreciate Thanksgiving because it reminds us all to slow down and take time to remember our blessings with those we love. Indeed, there is a lot to be grateful for, especially for those of us who live in freedom, who own our homes and do not have to fear losing them to make way for a separation wall or an illegal settlement. And in our homes we have daily access to clean water, plenty of food, and security from conflict or war. Unfortunately Palestinians in the Holy Land experience another reality, one of daily strife and struggle against occupation and violence. Their lives are constantly under threat and their presence in the birthplace of Christ is dwindling. Please, spend this Thanksgiving as it is intended, remember your blessings and thank God for them all. Be grateful for your freedoms, for your nourishment, and for the security your homes provide. But please, take a moment to also remember those who suffer. Please remember Palestinian Christians and be grateful to them for upholding the traditions of our faith in the land where it all began. Remember the ancestors of Christ’s first followers and share your blessings with them. Also consider the millions of displaced refugees all throughout the Middle East and remember that Jesus too was a refugee who fled persecution with His family as a child. It is our daily mission at the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) to remember those who suffer and to share our blessings with them. Join us in giving thanks and giving back to the preservers of the faith this Thanksgiving. Please DONATE TODAY to provide relief and hope to Palestinian Christians.
Thank you and God bless, Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS |
“Let us work together to replace despair with HOPE, fear with human SECURITY and humiliation with DIGNITY”
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
