Christmas Messages from Palestine
“Christmas is God’s solidarity with the oppressed and dehumanized. Jesus became human among the dehumanized to reclaim our humanity, dignity and worth.” – Reverend Munther Isaac, pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem
In this Christmas edition of our CFOS e-bulletin, we highlight the messages of our Palestinian Christian partners. Together with them we continue to yearn, pray and work for a ceasefire, an end to genocide, and a just peace in the Holy Land.
Christmas Messages from Palestinian Christians
1. We commend to you the Kairos Palestine Christmas message addressed to the Palestinian Christian churches. Some excerpts:
“[A] year and two months into the brutal genocidal war on Gaza and the West Bank…[t]he international community and many churches around the world remain silent, and the suffering endures.”
“We are now at a critical juncture, and the strength of our community depends on our solidarity with one another.”
The message includes a “call upon the global Christian community to continue standing in solidarity with us.”
Read the entire message here.
Star Street in Bethlehem
2. The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem have released their Christmas message. An excerpt:
“We…renew our appeal for the release of all prisoners and captives, the return of the homeless and displaced, the treatment of the sick and wounded, the relief of those who hunger and thirst, the restoration of unjustly seized or threatened properties, and the rebuilding of all public and private civilian structures that have been damaged or destroyed.“
Finally, during this sacred Christmas season and beyond, we call upon all Christians and those of goodwill around the world to join us in praying and working towards this noble mission”.
Read the entire message here.
3. On Spotify, listen to the podcast of a recent conversation between Rev. Munther Isaac and a former student of his, Anthony Khair, currently studying for his master's degree in theology, peace, trauma and religious studies at the University of Amsterdam. The title: “Christ (still) under the Rubble.”
The two Christian Palestinians talk about how they are navigating grief and the immense loss in Gaza, while cultivating courage and resilience They discuss the heightened importance of language in these cataclysmic times.
Rev. Munther: “The annexation is happening, and it's really scary, because they know they can get away with it. So, the question is, where do we find hope? I don't think we should even talk about hope at this time. Right now, it's about survival. How do we survive?”
The duration of the conversation is 37 minutes. This is a production of Mennonite Central Committee. Listen to the podcast here. A complete transcript is here.
4. Finally, watch the Advent service, “Christ is still in the rubble,” which was broadcast live from Bethlehem on Friday, December 20, with Pastor Munther Isaac delivering the message. You may access this video recording here.
CFOS Chair meets head of WCC
On December 5, Rula Odeh, chair of Canadian Friends of Sabeel, was in Toronto to meet with the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay. From South Africa, the General Secretary was visiting Canada to mark the 80th anniversary of the Canadian Council of Churches. In their meeting, Odeh, a Canadian of Palestinian Christian descent, spoke to Rev. Prof. Dr. Pillay about the best practices and principles developed in grass-roots-driven, broad-based ecumenical spaces that CFOS participates in with many Canadian churches, church-related organizations and the Christian community to:
Listen to, amplify and include Palestinian Christian voices both here in Canada and from Palestine, including women advocates and allies, while upholding the principle of "nothing about us without us."
Offer support, resources and leadership in the use of a proven principles-based approach to mobilizing urgent prophetic advocacy for justice, security and peace for all in Palestine and Israel.
CFOS indicated our willingness to participate fully in current and future ecumenical conversations and fora on justice, security and peace in the Holy Land at both at the Canadian Council of Churches and at the World Council of Churches. An interview with Dr. Pillay is available here.
“I was in prison…”
Friends of Sabeel North America recently launched a campaign to connect congregations in the United States with Palestinian Christian detainees and their families. More details on the program and how you can participate, here.
Important resources on our CFOS website
We encourage you to again visit our CFOS website. Featured is the series of reflections on Sumud, meaning “steadfastness” or “steadfast perseverance” in Arabic, the common term used to describe Palestinian nonviolent everyday resistance against Israel's occupation. Also available is the now-complete set of reflections “In Time of Genocide: A Palestinian Solidarity Pilgrimage.” And of course the website is a convenient way to make your tax-deductible year-end donation toward the work of CFOS. Thank you for your support.
Nativity Scene, Bethlehem Bible College
A Prayer
In this Christmas season, may you find comfort in the Sabeel Wave of Prayer for December 19. “Holy God, we cry out to you as massacres in Gaza erase entire families…. We remember your promise: ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit’ (Psalm 34:18).” Experience the entire prayer here.