The headline read “Bethlehem Cancels Christmas.” But try as they may, no one can cancel Christmas. Herod tried to do so by killing all the boys in Bethlehem under two years of age, but even that couldn’t stop the good news of Christ’s birth from spreading throughout the world.
Death that recently came at the hands of terrorists, and continues to come from the resulting war, have brought weeping and great mourning in Ramah, much like that which Jeremiah foretold. And I understand the hesitancy to celebrate in the midst of war. But if there is anything to celebrate, it’s the birth of the only one who can bring life out of death.
Christians now comprise only 10 percent of Bethlehem’s population, but it is still the birthplace of Jesus. To cancel all Christmas celebrations and replace them with protest activities, as the mayor has announced, is to simply let the darkness of sin and death hide the light and joy of Christmas.
When we were in Bethlehem it was easy to see it was a divided city. There are walls and barbed wire that keep Jews out, and Palestinian Christians in. Muslims make up the majority in Bethlehem today, but even
they recognize, and profit from, the sacred sites in the city.
When we placed our hands on the star marking where Jesus was born it was a heart-warming experience. How I wish all who are in Bethlehem and throughout all of Israel could place their hands together on that sacred spot and find the peace that Jesus came to bring.
God Bless, Rick
Chatham Christian Church 