Advent in BethlehemAndy Freeman - 20 Dec 2013

As we lead up to Christmas, people around the world are remembering a small town in the Middle East called Bethlehem and this life changing event that took place there.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2

But as we move through Advent 2013, Bethlehem is not a “little town” that we see lying sweetly.  Instead I’d like to suggest we pray that God’s light break into today’s Bethlehem as it struggles with incredible hardship.

Bethlehem is a Palestinian city of 25,000 people, located in the Central West Bank.  The city has been in Jordanian, Israeli and now Palestinian hands in the last 50 years.  In 2002, the city was central to Israeli Defence Force actions in the 39 day conflict with Palestinians. 

This volatility is part of the flavour of a city visited by approximately 300,000 people every year to celebrate Christmas and visit the birthplace of Jesus, especially sites such as the Church of the Nativity.  Celebrations don’t just focus on 25th December but also 6 January for the Orthodox Christmas of Greek, Coptic and Syrian traditions and for the Armenian Orthodox Christmas on 19 January.  This period of the year sustains Bethlehem economically for the next 12 months. 

But as we think about Bethlehem in 2013, I wonder whether we can echo once again the messages of Light and Peace from the Christmas story.  Just this week, the Palestinian negotiator in ongoing discussions between Israeli and Palestinian representatives suggested that a "framework agreement" for peace by the end of April 2014.  This is not full agreement but a massive step forward in the US sponsored peace negotiations.

Can we pray together that Light would break in the land of Christ’s birth in 2014 and that the angel’s song of ‘peace on earth’ could be a reality once again.

As part of Advent we are using daily readings about the breaking light of God on the 24-7 App.  Why not take a look and get involved.

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Feature image is a derivative of the image 'Bethlehem.' by seetheholyland.net.