O Little Town of Bethlehem
I love to sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (written by Phillips Brooks) during Christmas time. It is a beautiful rhythmic song that always moves and touches me to reflect upon the birthplace of Jesus.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together proclaim thy holy birth and praises sing to God the King And peace to men on earth
O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight
Bethlehem is a beautiful and historic city that holds much meaning, significance, and holiness as it is the birthplace of Jesus. The radiant Church of Nativity in Bethlehem attracts many worshippers and tourists from around the globe. The grotto, which is located on the lower level of the church, marks the birthplace of Jesus. The grotto is the oldest site continuously used as a place of worship and is the oldest major church in the Holy Land.
This central city marks a significant location in the Christian faith, but Israel built a wall around it in 2002. Bethlehem is surrounded by Israel's West Bank wall, which includes concrete walls and other barriers to separate the occupied territories from Israel. The wall is controlled by many checkpoints and observation towers to control who goes in and out of Bethlehem. Some parts of the concrete wall are 30ft high and painted with graffiti as a protest against settler colonialism and apartheid.
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As we sing this Christmas song, I hope that we will continue to pray for the city of Bethlehem, and the Palestinians who are struggling daily under settler colonialism. Let’s pray for the people of Gaza who are being bombed and dying of starvation and disease. I hope we can work for justice to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza which has already taken over 45 000 innocent lives.
My friend Chris Hedges recently interviewed Rev. Munther Isaac on the “Meaning of Christmas”. This is an important interview for this Christmas season.
I close by sharing a prayer written by my friend Rev. Mark Koenig.
A prayer for Christmas Eve
God of life and God of hope, we give you thanks and praise this night as we gather to remember the birth of Jesus who came as a witness to grace, who proclaimed peace
did justice lived love and walked humbly with you.
In his name, we pray for peace and healing wherever your world is broken, wherever violence and injustice reign wherever your children are in pain. We ask that we might follow Jesus faithfully and so become answers to our prayers for peace on earth,
goodwill for all people, and wholeness and wellbeing for all creation. Amen.
Special Events:
1.Please support Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints kickstarter. This book teaches kids (and their adults) stories that emphasize love, justice, kindness, and courage with an emphasis on including those voices often left out of religious narratives (such as the stories of women, LGBTQ people, people of color, Indigenous people, and more).
Let’s catch courage and inspiration from holy troublemaking people of faith. Please support their Kickstarter for Volume 2.
