In these weeks leading up to Christmas Day, Bethlehem will no doubt have – and continue to be – spoken of from every church pulpit the world over as people commemorate its significance in our salvation story. But is Bethlehem only talked about in historical terms as it relates to the Biblical narrative or is there consideration given to the life infants are born into in current day Bethlehem?
If you have ever walked down the steep, cobbled-paved Star Street at Christmas-time with the beautiful, festive lights hanging overhead, meandered through narrow, twisting streets lined with ancient buildings in the old part of town, stepped through the hobbit-sized door that leads into the Church of the Nativity or visited the Cremisan Valley and Shepherds’ Field, you know how special and spiritually significant a place Bethlehem is.
Late last year I had the privilege of doing just that but, for me, what held more significance, was meeting the local Palestinian inhabitants of this ancient city. Despite the crippling Israeli military occupation Palestinians live under, they exude life and hospitality. Despite the threat of their homes being demolished without warning and their land being confiscated for Israeli settlements to be built; despite being placed on water rations whilst those same settlers have unlimited water supply and usage; despite having their freedom of movement and access to education, employment and healthcare being restricted by checkpoints and barriers; despite all this, they still have hope.
Read the article by Neil Potter in Sight Magazine.