People gather during the lighting of the Christmas tree ceremony at the Manger Square, next to the Church of Nativity in the background, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Credit: EPA/ATEF SAFADI via AMNA
1 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.
On Sunday morning at Trenton United Rev. Isaac concluded his "angeiic" Advent theme by having the congregation chose the most popular carol containing angels from amongst eight. In each stage of elimination people voted for one of two, a verse at a time, and it was surprising close in each round. In the end it was O Little Town of Bethlehem that came out victorious. It was playful and meaningful given the current realities of this city in the West Bank.
I thought about the news that Bethlehem, the "little town" of Jesus' birth saw its first Christmas tree lighting after a two year pause. There weren't a lot of people on hand but this symbolic gesture may bring a glimmer of hope and even joy amidst the ongoing turmoil in the West Bank where Bethlehem is situated.
While the shockingly retributive war following the massacre of Israelis in October of 2023 has been in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians in the West Bank have been deeply affected, including Christians. In the past, large crowds of visitors would fill Manger Square adjacent to the Church of the Nativity but tourism, essential to the economy. has been all but non-existent in the ongoing shadow of the war.
You will recall that two Christmases ago the Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem created an Infant Jesus in the Rubble Nativity in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
This Christmas Eve we can pray for the "everlasting light" of Christ and for peace in the midst of so much violence and suffering.
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