Journeying with real people towards the real Bethlehem could transform Christmas for you and for your friends. This is a precious book - precious to keep and precious to give away. Very Rev Dr A. Mclellan, Convener, World Mission Council, Church of Scotland.
This book takes the traditional Advent themes of faith, hope and love and looks at them through the lens of ordinary Palestinians, who live in the land we call holy. We hope that it will both inspire you and challenge you as you make the journey towards Christmas. Maggie Lunan, Co-Chair, nativity.
The traditional themes of Advent - light out of darkness, hope out of despair, the struggle to give birth to new life in the midst of difficulty and suffering - are here given a reality that is both vigorous and challenging. These reflections from people living on a knife-edge enlarge our vision. Kathy Galloway, Head of Christian Aid Scotland.
World Mission Council
121 George Street Edinburgh, EH2 4YR © COS257 10/12 Scottish National Charity Number: SC0 11353 nativity supports Kairos Palestine and is involved dignity. For these reasons we support the rights of all in this resource because we want to encourage people Palestinians and Israelis to live in safety and security, to reappraise Christmas and look at all the celebrations and believe their rights are indivisible from each other. around Christmas with fresh eyes, to challenge the sentimentality of it and offer alternatives that incorporate Christian Aid welcomes the Kairos document as an ‘Just God’. As part of the bigger picture this resource important way of engaging the churches in the UK and offers the opportunity to consider the reality both of Ireland with peace and justice in Israel and the occupied Christmas past and Christmas present in Bethlehem. Palestinian territory (IoPt). As a document which is from Christians in the occupied Palestinian territory to the church world-wide, we would encourage churches to read Christian Aid is a Christian organisation that insists it and engage with it in a way that is most appropriate the world can and must be swiftly changed to one where for them. everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We work globally for profound change that eradicates the causes As such Christian Aid welcomes this resource as a way of poverty, striving to achieve equality, dignity and for individuals and Churches to engage with the issues, freedom for all, regardless of faith or nationality. We are discuss the perspectives presented and make their own part of a wider movement for social justice decision on what action to take. For a full account of Christian Aid’s policy and position IoPt please see Christian Aid was established in the aftermath of the www.christianaid.org.uk/iopt Second World War to help European refugees, including Jewish refugees, who had lost everything. In the 1950s, as our work expanded all over the world, we provided The Church of Scotland started work in historic aid to Palestinians displaced by the war following the Palestine in the 1860’s when a young Scottish doctor creation of the state of Israel in 1948. started a clinic in Tiberias. It inherited Tabeetha School in Jaffa, in 1912, and St Andrew’s Church was dedicated in Since then we have joined in partnership with more Jerusalem in 1931. The General Assembly of the Church than 20 Israeli and Palestinian organisations to protect of Scotland has encouraged church members to promote human rights, help people access services and resources, justice for Palestinian and Israeli alike and encouraged and build a peace based on justice for all. We believe church people to visit the land to meet the different that all people are made in the image of God, and that communities and offer support and solidarity to the each person deserves a life of freedom, opportunity and contemporary Christian communities. Foreword
In this Advent season our thoughts are drawn In this historic, promising land, that has been defiled and instinctively towards the small spot in the violated, there are still signs of hope, for people of different world connected with the babe in the manger faiths are connected in heart and respect the humanity of of Bethlehem that witnessed the birth of a “the other”, trying to see the divine image in each person. “Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” This Advent Resource offers us a unique opportunity to Enjoy reading about the peacemakers who are present journey in “prayer and mind” beyond Bethlehem in order at checkpoints, those who dare break unjust laws and to share with the “Living Stones”, an enriching spiritual walls in order to overcome racism and discrimination, and understanding of the true message of love. bereaved parents who can share the same suffering with “the others”. However, even the good will of the people If you accept the call of Kairos Palestine to “come and see” is not enough. They need YOU to be bold and creative through this booklet of stories, drawings and prayers, you in speaking out the truth, and daring to take action, so will meet Kemal, the shepherd; Khitam, the empowered that we can all remain “a witnessing, steadfast and active businesswoman; Daoud, in the “tent of nations” who refuses church in the land of Resurrection” (Kairos Palestine to be enemies with the settlers trying to grab his land; 4:2.1) Asma, the 6-year old girl from Gaza treated for cancer at the Lutheran Augusta Victoria hospital in Jerusalem; Iman, This Advent resource offers more! Let us not miss this the student from Qurtuba School in Hebron; Yusef, the olive chance to renew faith, hope and love, the three pillars wood worker longing for family reunification; and Claire, of the message that was sent out from the manger in stifling in a house surrounded by the separation barrier. Bethlehem promising a just peace that yet has to prevail.
In twenty eight days, you will get exposed to the grim Nora Carmi. realities of life under Israeli occupation and the impact that it has on ALL Palestinians. But, despite the suffering, you Nora Carmi is a Palestinian Christian community-builder will discover their genuine aspiration for equity and justice involved in peace-making. Currently, she is the part-time and their non-violent firm resilience in trying to preserve Project Coordinator with Kairos Palestine. humanity and sanctity of life, with dignity. Letter to the Reader
“Come all you faithful” is an invitation to journey, coalition of grassroots indigenous Christians who trace longing for ‘peace’ in your own heart is shared by other during this season of Advent with the Christian their Christian heritage back to the time of Christ, refuse people of all nations and faiths. community in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) such simplicity. They seek to remind us that both Israeli and Israel. They have offered to the churches of the and Palestinian are made in the image of God, and need Included in this resource are 4 small group study guides. world the Kairos Palestine1 document, “a word of faith, to find ways to live together in peace with justice. Each week follows the same pattern: lighting a candle, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering”. a time of quiet, a prayer, a time of discussion ‘chat room’ The Kairos Palestine document continually challenges and a discussion topic. The ‘facts on the ground’ sections Kairos Palestine encourages us to think more deeply us to do more, to move from the superficial and seek of the group notes give further background information. about the land of Christ’s birth and the reality of life to uncover the truth below the surface. The Church of It is important to remember that these facts, like the on the ground, not least for the minority Christian Scotland, Christian Aid and nativity hope that land, are fiercely contested. People are polarised on these community. Kairos Palestine believes that life under this booklet will encourage you to draw alongside the issues. There will be disagreements. One of the gifts given military occupation, characterised by the separation Palestinian Christian community, gently and prayerfully, to the church and the world by Palestinian Christians is barrier, curfews, and checkpoints is far from the and to journey together, in story and prayer, through their constant reminder that all people are made in the Christian understanding of God’s love for all, God’s the days of Advent, when our focus is on that “little town image of God. Holding this attitude as the baseline for solidarity with the oppressed and God’s desire for justice of Bethlehem” and the in-breaking of God into human all conversation around the issues makes it harder to and equality for all. history through Jesus being born to Mary in Palestine. dehumanise and generalise.
Peace, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, “is not the absence You will note that there are contributions for 28 days; With those from all the ages who have journeyed and sung of tension but the presence of justice and love”. Justice this allows the booklet to be used in any year. As you we repeat the tireless invitation: ‘Come all you faithful’, and love are key calls of the Kairos Palestine document. read and pray and meditate on the stories, prayers and come and see, come and witness, come and act, come and Some commentators try to polarise people: ‘If you are images, we hope you will have time to reflect on the main be part of God’s Kairos, the moment of God’s breaking into pro-Palestinian you are anti-Israeli.” The writers of themes of Kairos Palestine, “the faith, hope and love from human history, to offer a better future: “For Palestine, for the Kairos Palestine document, representing a wide the heart of Palestinian suffering,” and discover that the Israel and for a troubled world, it’s time for peace.”2 Where once shepherds roamed over the hills and all the way down to the Jordan, there is less and less access to land. The custom is for the shepherds to stay with their flocks all day. Now there is danger from settlers who shoot the sheep, to kill or maim them, or attack the shepherds themselves.
I saw Kemal leading his flock along a limestone edge, as high as he dare go on the hillside. As they move slowly through the scrub, he sang to them, a beautiful plaintive melody, echoing from the rocks. Later I met him as he brought the sheep home. ‘Kemal, do you always sing to your sheep?’ Standing waist-deep in his flock, he smiled at me. ‘Yes, I sing to the sheep. They know my voice, and when I sing they follow me, not go into danger, find grass. The goats too – they are gentle, and they come with me – when I sing.’ 3 Prayer: “Kairos is the moment when we God, thank you for what we can learn – from a working man see God’s gifts in the midst of our in a hard place, in difficult times – about your steadfast love and care: suffering.” (Kairos Palestine 1.1.1) thank you for leading us, calming us, keeping us safe, and feeding us through the stories and the lives of our brothers and sisters. Amen “The earth is the Lord’s and all 4 that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Week 1 see what strikes you about them. Since 1948 Palestinians have continually been displaced from their homes and land, and the space available to them has reduced dramatically. Kairos comment: ‘Kairos’ documents have been issued Over 750,000 Palestinians fled or were forcibly removed by Christians at a number of crucial moments in recent Group Study: Kairos from their homes before and during the 1948 war of world history. They represent an attempt to ‘read the Light a candle and enjoy a time of silence. Israeli independance, and a further 500,000 were displaced signs of the times ‘ in moments of conflict, crisis or following the 1967 war. oppression. The Palestinian Christian authors of Kairos Prayer: God, who brings light into dark places in Palestine have declared a moment of truth when they speak from the heart of Palestinian suffering... they unexpected ways, fill our hearts and minds with Since then, land has Palestinian loss of land - 1946 to today expectation of insight into the possibilities that faith, hope been confiscated 1945 UN Plan 1947 1949-1967 Today define this ‘kairos’ as ‘the moment when we see God’s Prayer: and love in you can bring. Amen for the building of gifts in the midst of our suffering’5. The Bethlehem Call illegal settlements, of 2011 says ‘a Kairos is both the recognition of God’s Spirit of God In this kairos waiting time Chat room 1: Find out if anyone has ever been to the Holy settler-only Palestine Palestine will and the urgency of our response.’ Land. Did anything surprise them, shock them, excite roads and for help us to travel to Bethlehem. them or frighten them? If no one has been discuss how the separation God’s word: Luke 4: 16-21 May we hear good news for the poor Israel Israel Israel through the cries of the Palestinian people: you imagine life there and how you came to develop this barrier, leaving Jewish land Israeli land Israeli state Israel and Israeli controlled Good news for Arab and Israeli picture. Make sure everyone who wishes to speak is heard. Palestinians trapped land Chat room 2: Look at the stories in week 1: How do they Palestinian Palestinian areas Palestinian Partial land administered by land Palestinian relate to the Luke reading? Who are the prisoners and Good news for Jew and Muslim and Christian in enclaves with Egypt and Jordan authority Fact on the ground: The land at the centre of this conflict little opportunity control the oppressed in these stories? Based on the definitions Good news for those captive to fear on both sides of is small. The area of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza to expand or above, can you see Kairos possibilities in these stories? the separation barrier Strip is around one third of the size of Scotland. Though support themselves in a sustainable way. The separation What might ‘good news’ look like to them? Good news to those blind to the plight of their smaller in land area it has a population of around 10.2 barrier, which is approx 700km long and deviates from the neighbours million as compared with 5 million in Scotland. The internationally recognised border between Israel and the oPt And those who cannot see a peaceful way forward Gaza Strip alone has 1.7 million people living on an area (The Green Line) separates Palestinians from their land and Action: You will be starting to receive Christmas Good news for those oppressed by ideology or smaller than the size of the island of Arran. (If you don’t each other. cards. Bring together any cards that have pictures of theology live in Scotland it might be interesting to see if you can Bethlehem or the Holy Land. Take time each day as you And good news for ourselves find a local equivalent sized area (3652 km) and compare This briefest of summaries perhaps raises more questions read the relevant story to reflect on the pictures and on When we have lost the urgency of God’s call for the populations). than answers. What strikes you about these maps? Put the reality of life now in those parts of the world and justice yourselves in the shoes of a Palestinian. How might these to pray for Palestinian Christians as they prepare for And in whose lives and faiths and churches Since 1948 the population distribution has changed maps make you feel? Put yourselves in the shoes of an another Christmas under occupation. Bring your cards God waits to be born beyond all recognition. Have a look at the maps below and Israeli. How might these maps make you feel? to the next group meeting. Immanuel: God with us. Amen. Prayer: Living, loving, growing God, “Hope is the capacity to see Under The Tree help us to grasp your reality and to see hope being born in God in the midst of trouble, Under this unreal tree, hard places, and to be co-workers with the with fluorescent greenery – and where people have lost heart. can hope be born? 7 Holy Spirit who is dwelling in Amen us. From this vision derives Among glittering promises, SHALOM deadlines, expectations – the strength to be steadfast, will hope be born? remain firm and work to Among full fridges and diaries, change the reality in which we with empty words – find ourselves.” can hope be born? *************** (Kairos Palestine 3.2)
Through tough reality, in the dark, in6 quiet expectancy – hope is born.
Under the olive tree, in our common humanity – hope is born. Khitam lives in Kofor Ra’i, near Jenin in the north West Bank. She “Do not be conformed to this world, but started as a small-scale farmer through Christian Aid partner PARC’s be transformed by the renewing of your (Palestinian Agriculture Relief Committees) help 6 years ago, when she received citrus fruit seedlings for her home garden. Now she produces many minds, so that you may discern what different crops and fruits, sells cheese, milk and yoghurt from her sheep, is the will of God – what is good and and even dabbles in bee-keeping! She says, “We used to live in a mud house, acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) but 6 years ago we started to build this one, and it’s nearly finished! The loan from the cooperative we’re part of helped us, and now I’m paying it back through my profits from the bees and sheep.”
Khitam believes that PARC is much more than a savings and credit cooperative as they have helped to change the mindset in the area around the empowerment of women, and is proud to be able to say, “Now look at 8 me, I’m a businesswoman!” Prayer: Little lemon seedlings lead to life And minds are opened up to women’s worth Through PARC and the potential of your people. 9 In prayer, Oh Lord, let us pledge our support For plenty more of this for Palestinians in the future! Amen. In 1948, outside a ransacked house near Jerusalem’s Prayer: German Colony, a member of St. Andrew’s Church Our lives are informed by congregation found a Book of Common Prayer. This what we see with our eyes was after the Israeli War of Independence when many and with our heart. Visible to our eyes are all our houses, empty because the Palestinian owners had fled, differences –of race, and were broken into and unwanted possessions thrown out. creed and colour. Visible “It looked so well used,” she said, “and deeply valued by to our heart is our inter- connectedness. someone of faith. I couldn’t let it lie being destroyed in Lord Jesus, you taught us to the street.” Sixty-four years after she first took it home, cherish the humanity of the she asked if our Church would keep it. “I am getting old. other. Give us eyes to see into the heart of our common When the time comes to clear out my possessions, nobody humanity. Give us hearts to will understand what this book means. I hope you will.” celebrate that unity within our
diversity. Amen11 What this book means? Within its pages is a rich heritage of meaning for every Christian. But the particular meaning is that a link has been made between10 two people of faith because of a connection of the heart“In everything– do to others one honouring and respecting the humanity of the other. as you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12) Almost every Sunday we visit my mother-in-law who is in Bethlehem, and every Sunday after lunch we get a whole bagful (if not more) of leftovers or special treats to take back for the rest of the week. Yesterday, my mother-in-law got some fresh eggs from a friend, and, as usual, wanted to share them with us. While packing the left overs and eggs Prayer: in the car, I panicked…. How am I going to pass the check- Gentle God, do you remember point with eggs? It is true that every time I get things that journey from Bethlehem through the check-point I am worried. If it is cooked food, I when you were so very small? am worried that, if the dogs are there, they would smell it… Who befriended your little Other food, I have to open and show the soldiers (sometimes I family, as you fled for your even offer them, as when I have biscuits that my mother- lives? in-law loves to make). Eggs and meat, I know, are not allowed Were there fresh eggs for and so my husband this week will have to live without an 12 Mary and Joseph along the omelette made with fresh eggs. We live about 3 miles away but way? cannot share the same food, all under the excuse of security. Gentle God, be with all your “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will children who travel the road hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or from Bethlehem today. nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35) Amen.13 In the 1960s Jewish people in Poland were subjected to much persecution. Nina’s father decided to move with his family to Israel, to make a new life there. Speaking about her experience, Nina said that the first time she ever felt any real sense of identity was when she came to live in Israel – she felt able to acknowledge her Jewishness. But the first house she and her husband were offered by the Government had been the home of a Palestinian family, made refugees in 1967. Nina and her husband did not accept the house. She started a life-long involvement with peace organisations in Israel. Now, within the legal borders of Israel, Nina and her husband – both refugees from Poland 45 years ago - are building their new home.14 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
15 Prayer: Lord, as we look to the future, increase our faith and confidence in your work in history, your love of the poor and the powerless. Your prophets will speak against injustices; and your people will bear witness for peace. Come with me now to Bethlehem, to Dar al-Kalima College, and stand on the terrace high up and overlooking Bethlehem. Mitri Raheb is the pastor of the Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and he was introducing me as I was about to dedicate a peace garden sponsored by the Church of Scotland. “If you look out over there”, he said, pointing, “you can see the separation barrier that is almost complete. When it is complete, all the green bits will be on the other side of the wall. We are building this garden so that our children might still smell spring.” “For I am about to create new 16 heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17) 17
Prayer: Lord God, in Jesus, walls and barriers came tumbling down and all people became one in him. If we can’t knock down the walls and barriers we see dividing us then help us, by your grace, to build bridges over them. Amen The Nassar family is one of the few “You are the light of the world. A remaining Christian families in the Nahhalin area near Bethlehem. Their farm is called ‘the Tent of Nations’ and their motto is city built on a hill cannot be hidden... ‘We refuse to be enemies’. Daoud Nassar’s grandfather bought and registered the 100- In the same way, let your light acre farm in 1916. It stands alone, at the top of the hill overlooking valley and farmland. Nowadays the farm is surrounded shine before others, so that they on nearby facing hills by five large and growing Jewish settlements. One settlement every year (population 35,000) grows by 10 may see your good works and give For 20 years the family has struggled with costly legal actions as settlements seek to take over their land, including threats from armed glory to God” (Matthew 5:14,16) settlers, damage to rainwater tanks, and olive trees. They are prohibited by the Israeli government from installing running water or Prayer: electricity, and refused building permits. International volunteers are welcomed and Lord Jesus, when you walked amongst us, you brought healing and compassion support the family in their isolation and into the lives of people victimised by the abuse of power. struggle. Daoud urges visitors to see the You gave us a vision of our common humanity under your love. 19 suffering on all sides and work to bring it to Help us in today’s struggle for justice for all, as we seek to journey alongside an end. Peace can only come when justice is the victim, yet ‘refuse to be enemies’. Amen. 18 achieved. Read also this short extract from Martin Luther Chat room 2: Have you glimpsed any ‘creative extremists’ Week 2 King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail: in the stories in Week 2 (or Week 1)? What do the examples (www.africa.upenn.edu) of Jeremiah and MLK show about faith in action? Both pay attention to detail and see in them ‘signs of the times’. Group Study: Faith 16 April 1963 My Dear Fellow Clergymen: Discuss the Kairos quote above in the light of Jeremiah and Light a candle (or 2) and enjoy a time of silence. While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I MLK. What ‘duty’ do you as Christians (individually and came across your recent statement calling my present together) feel you have in the face of injustice in Israel the oPt Prayer: God, who brings light into dark places in activities “unwise and untimely.” …I am in Birmingham and in your own community? Is there time to think about this unexpected ways, fill our hearts and minds with expectation There is a real possibility that thousands of Christian because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the in the midst of your Christmas preparations? What are the of insight into the possibilities that faith hope and love in pilgrims visit the Holy Land and holy sites each year and eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their consequences of turning a blind eye? you can bring. Amen never meet anyone who is a Palestinian Christian. “thus saith the Lord” far beyond the boundaries of their
home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village Read again Daoud Nassar’s story on day 8. Chat room 1: Spread out all the cards of Bethlehem and the Competing theologies have left many Palestinian Christians of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far • What do you feel about this response? Holy Land which the group has collected this week. Each feeling abandoned. How does what is happening to corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to • How is faith preserved under such conditions of difficulty? person should select one and explain why they were drawn Palestinian Christians today fit with your understanding of carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. • How do you think that applies to the church where you are? to it. the Body of Christ? Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid. Action: As part of your Christmas preparations, send a Fact on the ground: Christianity started in the land we now Kairos quote: ‘Today we constitute three religions in this Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The Christmas card to a Palestinian Christian, offering your call Israel and the oPt, and faith has been maintained there land, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Our land is God’s yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself, …So support in their struggle. Find out how to do this at www. and witnessed to for over 2 millennia. When the new state of land… it is holy inasmuch as God is present in it, for God the question is not whether we will be extremists, but churchofscotland.org.uk Israel was created in 1948 the number of Christians living alone is holy and sanctifier. It is the duty of those of us who what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists in Israel and the oPt made up 7% of the population20. Today live here, to respect the will of God for this land. It is our for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the Prayer: they make up less than 2% of the total population. duty to liberate it from the evil of injustice and war.’ preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? God of justice In that dramatic scene on Calvary’s hill three men were Whose eye is always on the oppressed The Christian population is decreasing because many are God’s word: The prophet Jeremiah’s faithfulness to God’s call crucified. We must never forget that all three were and whose time for action is always now choosing to leave, For many life is becoming increasing isolates him and leads him into danger. His message was not crucified for the same crime--the crime of extremism. Open our eyes and our hearts intolerable – not because they are Christians but because popular: a call to repentance seldom is. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below Give us courage to ask uncomfortable questions they are Palestinians. Like their Muslim neighbours, their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an and face unpalatable truths travel restrictions, difficulty with access to land, as well as Read Jeremiah 1:11-19 extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose Help us stand with the extremist for love checkpoints and curfews make providing for daily needs above his environment. Perhaps the South, the nation and truth and goodness increasingly difficult. Christians have historically been and the world are in dire need of creative extremists. even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. better educated and therefore have more options to leave. 3pm. A Friday afternoon on a sleepy road above Beit Sahour. The ancient olive groves seem untouched for centuries. A car arrives, and then another. A bus pulls up with guests from a convention. Mass is to be celebrated among the olive trees by the local priest. It is worship and not a demonstration, but each week more people, of all ages, have gathered. The children play tag around the legs of the adults, and some young men plant a Palestinian flag.
This land belongs to a Roman Catholic convent. But ownership is irrelevant. Above the olive grove, but creeping nearer, is the separation barrier. It is routed through this spot. These ancient olives will be torn up. The priest elevates the host. The multinational interfaith gathering shuffle into lines21 and move forward to receive it. ‘The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.’
“Our Church is a Church of people who pray and serve. This prayer and service is prophetic, bearing the voice of God in the present and future. Everything that happens in our land, everyone who lives there, all the peace and hopes, all the injustice and all the efforts to stop this injustice, are part and parcel of the prayer of our Church...” (Kairos Palestine 3.4)
Prayer: 22 Stay with us, Lord, in the uncertain moments. With your Holy Spirit raise us from our hopelessness, wipe away our disbelief and strengthen our faith, so that our hearts will burn to proclaim your resurrection, Your eternal life springing forth and bringing hope. “The Jabari family live in Hebron, very close to the Israeli settlement, Kiryat Arba. On their land, the settlers have built a path and flight of steps, for their exclusive use, and have erected a tent synagogue. One Friday, in a field beside the steps, we worked with the family to harvest their crop. As Shabbat approached, the army and the police insisted we stop working; Jewish settlers would be arriving shortly to worship, and work on Shabbat is forbidden to observant Jews.
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
(Ephesians 5:25) ‘The young Israeli officer squatted down to meet the Palestinian landowner’s eyes. His voice was 10 light and his smile reached his eyes. ‘Sheva, sheva,’ he said. Seven o’clock. Work must end Prayer: then. Despite the injustice of the situation, the Palestinian landowner responded quietly, smiling 23 Loving God, teach us to walk in throughout. The officer held out his hand and the shoes of our neighbours the Palestinian shook it. They wished each other, that we may come to understand ‘Shabbat shalom,’ the traditional Jewish greeting, and the officer left. I forget how many difficult their fears and hopes, and encounters I have seen between Israeli soldiers through this experience, enlighten and Palestinians, but this meeting, in which each us to the truth to guide our path respected the other, stays with me”. as we seek a shared life of peace based on justice and inspiration. Amen.24 “We will remain a witnessing, steadfast and active Church in the land of the Resurrection.” (Kairos Palestine 3.5) A coachload of American Christians stopped at Bir’am, near the Lebanese border, to see the remains of a third Century synagogue. Munching away at their packed lunches, they seemed oblivious that they were within 100 yards of a Maronite Church, set amid the ruins of a village, one of the many destroyed in the Nakba.25
A Christian village, Bir’am was occupied by Jewish forces in November 1948. The villagers were ‘evacuated’ with a promise that they could return after two weeks. Instead, their houses were looted. When they (along with a neighbouring village of 11 Iqrit) won a landmark court case allowing them to return, the area was declared a ‘military zone’ and the houses destroyed, ensuring no immediate return was possible.
Throughout the Galilee, a cactus or shrine is often the sole reminder of once thriving communities. The villages have disappeared and their inhabitants live in refugee camps in the West Bank or in Lebanon.26
Prayer:
God, whose Son was once a refugee in Egypt,27 Be with all who are expelled from their homes because of colour or creed. Bless the generations who remain in refugee camps, Longing one day to return home. Amen. Our guide is a tall rangy nervous man with thinning hair which he wears long and curly over his ears. He smokes one cigarette after another. He is a guide for an alternative tourism Prayer: organisation in the occupied Palestinian territory. God, your law He takes our group to Hebron. Under the bored is there to aid compassion, not but watchful eyes of young conscripted Israeli hinder it. soldiers he shows us the locked shops and boarded Guard us from windows which are evidence of the exclusion zone piety without pity. around the illegal Israeli settlement in the heart May your law of love rule our of the city. He is not allowed to go with us into hearts. the Tomb of the Patriarchs. The Temple is Keep us from divided internally by a wall, and security cameras legalism without watch every move. A holy site for Jews, Muslims mercy. May your grace pervade our and Christians, but this Palestinian Christian actions. cannot enter either the Jewish or Muslim section. Lead us to He is angry, but he smiles wryly. ‘For all their recognise that security we have in fact won,’ he says. ‘We are our treatment of others, reflects still here.’ our relationship 28 “Love is seeing the face of God in every with you. Amen. human being. Every person is my brother or my sister.” (Kairos Palestine 4.2.1) Prayer: After being diagnosed with cancer in Gaza, 6 year old Asmah was God of mercy, referred to the Lutheran World Federation’s Augusta Victoria Hospital even as we long to (AVH) in East Jerusalem to receive specialist treatment. There were no comparable cancer care facilities in Gaza or the West Bank. AVH understand that helped secure Asmah’s medical permit so she could travel, but the Israeli which is often beyond authorities refused to let Asmah’s parents accompany her to Jerusalem. our comprehension, Fortunately, Asmah’s grandparents were allowed to make the trip with we lay before you her. The drive to Jerusalem, without the delays at checkpoints, is only 1.5 the hearts, minds hours. However, they could not risk going back and forth to Gaza each and bodies of all day for fear they would not be permitted to leave again. AVH provided accommodation for Asmah and her grandparents to ensure her radiation those suffering from treatment would not be interrupted. A hidden blessing was the discovery and conflict. Shower treatment of her grandmother’s diabetes. Asmah and her grandparents upon all the people are now home in Gaza, and Asmah is happy to be back among her family of the Holy Land the and friends in school.29 spirit of justice and “Give justice to the weak and the orphan; uphold the rights of the poor and reconciliation. Amen.30 oppressed.” (Psalm 82:3) Prayer: You, Lord Jesus, are the truth. In you is honour, justice and purity made manifest. To think of you is pleasing, commends itself to us, brings excellence and leads us to praise. Today we ask that we might be your On the way to the Qalandia checkpoint, mirrors, even as Machsom Watch we came upon an impromptu additional mirrors your love. checkpoint. The queue at the checkpoint was particularly long If we can do no more, may we at least “Finally, beloved, what- watch and bring your presence where that day. Our Palestinian friend sighed otherwise it might not be found. Amen. ever is true, whatever is resignedly. ‘Look at the queue to get back out,’ honourable, whatever is she said. We knew that we were in for a long day. just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, 32 Several hours later, on our return, we approached the same whatever is commendable, 31 check point. There was no queue. As we got nearer our friend’s if there is any excellence face lit up. ‘I couldn’t understand it,’ she said ‘why there is no and if there is anything queue. Now I know why: the women are there.’ Machsom Watch is a group of Israeli women who oppose the Israeli occupation and worthy of praise, think denial of Palestinian right to move freely in their land. They were standing at that particular checkpoint that day checking that about these things.” the soldiers were not abusing their authority and making life even (Philippians 4:8) more difficult for people. On that day it worked. Rami Elhanan, a member of “Parents’ Circle,” a Christian Aid partner organisation, tells his story: “In 1997 our 14 year old daughter, Samadar, was killed by two Palestinian suicide bombers. I ran through the streets, trying to find her. Nothing was normal anymore in my life. Stupidly, I tried to get on with my life, but I couldn’t. Then one day I met someone who had lost his son, years ago, Yitzhak Frankenthal, who started Parents Circle. His son was kidnapped and killed by Hamas. He started telling me about this group of Israelis and Palestinians that met together to share their pain. The first time I met them they arrived on a bus. I saw them coming out of the bus, and then meeting me, hugging me, kissing me, and I was shocked. For the first time I saw Palestinians as human beings, and not as street sellers or enemies. Something had changed in me. I was taught my whole life to think they were monsters, and they turned out to be angels. Because of the effort Israel takes to hide this, I didn’t discover this until I met them.” 33
Prayer: 34 “We say that love is possible Love that came down, and mutual trust is possible.” Filling all with hope, (Kairos Palestine 9.1) Grant us faith enough to be passionate for peace for all. Amen. Week 3 Rewrite one verse of your favourite carol that reflects your thoughts on this week’s stories. Group Study: Hope God’s word: Luke 2: 22-38 Oh broken town of Bethlehem, your people long for peace, Light a candle (or 3) and enjoy a time of silence. But curfews, raids and closure barricades Chat room 2: Today we often think Christmas is a time for Have brought them to their knees Prayer: God, who brings light into dark places in children yet the wisdom of the older generation feature Yet still they strive for justice, And still they make their unexpected ways, fill our hearts and minds with expectation prominently throughout the narrative as in our reading stand of insight into the possibilities that faith hope and love in from Luke. Simeon and Anna had hope and perseverance. Their hopes and fears still echo down the years you can bring. Amen Explore together their circumstances. Despite all the ‘facts Come, heal this holy land. on the ground’ which seemed to run contrary to hope, Chat room 1: Look at the words of ‘O Little Town of they were looking for God’s salvation. How significant is it Oh holy child of Bethlehem, a royal refugee, Bethlehem’ and other carols in your hymn book. How do that they saw that hope fulfilled in a child? What role does Your place of birth is now a hell on earth these words relate to what you have read in the stories being thankful play in staying alert to God’s Kairos? How Through our complicity. O sad and troubled Bethlehem, we hear your longing cry offered in the past week? significant is it that both Simeon and Anna were immersed The innocents still suffer, their backs against the wall. For peace and justice to be born and cruel oppression die. in worship? Look at v34-35 again. In what ways might an We see the curse, the violence and worse How deep your need for that great gift of love in human Thought from the ground: ‘There are several differences expectation of a better future be divisive and dangerous? And choose to ignore it all. form. Let Christ in you be seen again and hearts by hope made between hope and optimism. One difference is that hope is warm. God-based while optimism is reality-based. By this I mean Look again at the stories in week 3: Are these stories of Oh holy streets of Bethlehem, deserted and destroyed that, in hope, God is the actor: one bases one’s hope on the hope or optimism? Where does perseverance feature? The frightened faces fill the sacred places While morning stars and evening stars shine out in your dark faithfulness, justice and loving kindness of God. Optimism Where is God in these stories and who are the ‘co-workers’ Pilgrims once enjoyed. sky, Despair now stalks your troubled streets where innocents on the other hand, is reality based. One looks at the realities mentioned in the Kairos thought? What do they say to us in Yet in the midst of darkness, a hopeful beacon shines: still die. of the world and one decides if the perspective is optimistic the context of our own lives? The future lies in humble sacrifice And Jesus, Child of Mary, whose love will never cease, or pessimistic. In hope, despite the very pessimistic things And not in guns and mines. Feels even now your pain and fear, longs with you for your one sees in the world, God nevertheless will have the last peace. word.’35 Oh holy star of Bethlehem, help us to watch and pray. Action: Read the following two versions of ‘O little town of With love and light illuminate the night Amazingly and lovingly Jesus the child has come Hope is also about justice “since hope is about how those Bethlehem,’ written at the height of the second intifada*. Reveal the Kingdom’s day. And, brought to birth through human pain, makes broken at the margins reflect their trust in God then it is in God’s Lord, dare us to be angels, your awesome truth to tell. hearts his home. justice that they hope”. (ibid) *It marked a time of strikes, marches and protests by Palestinians against It must be heard: He comes to comfort all who weep, to challenge every wrong, the occupation, ignited by the visit of Ariel Sharon to the Haram a-Shariaf You are the final word, And, living with the poor and weak, becomes their hope, their Kairos thought: ‘Hope is first and foremost our faith in (Temple Mount) in September 2000. The military response resulted in Our Lord, Emmanuel. song. God and secondly our expectation, despite everything, for violence and oppression, characterised by curfews, arrests/detentions, road a better future. Thirdly, it means not chasing illusions – we closures and restrictions on Palestinians’ movements. Today Bethlehem is a Lyrics by Martin John Nicholls from his album ‘Beyond Belief’ © 2003 Wendy Ross-Barker (2001) realise that release is not close at hand. Hope is the capacity different place - curfews and outbreaks of violence occur considerably less Daybreak Music Ltd. All rights reserved Used with permission. to see God in the midst of trouble, and to be co-workers with often, but Palestinians still live under occupation, with many restrictions on the Holy Spirit who is dwelling within us.’ (3;2) their rights and freedoms. In the village of At-Tuwani, a couple of excited small children banged on the door: ‘Yalla, hafle, yalla’ (Come on, it’s a party, come on.) So it was off for more dancing at the wedding. At such weddings, the guests include, as well as the Palestinian villagers, international and Jewish Israeli peace activists, whose support is so greatly valued by the Palestinians. That’s what you do. You invite close family friends to your son’s or daughter’s wedding.
Another thing happens with family friends: your kids play with their kids. Palestinian kids love playing football. Of course, Israeli kids are keen Prayer: footballers too. So Jewish Israelis who are friends Lord, when we meet new people, of the village bring their kids to play football with Let us not see our differences Muslim kids during the village’s summer camp. The differences between their lives are forgotten in the but realise just how similar we are excitement when someone scores a goal. as we enjoy and value time together. Weddings and36 football: two things bringing people Amen.37 together.
“Through our love, we will overcome injustices and establish foundations for a new society both for us and for our opponents. Our future and their future are one.” (Kairos Palestine 4.3) Today Today I saw a soldier in a prayer shawl, with gun and phylactery38 and book, bowing behind the humvee39 , beside the barbed wire of the separation barrier: for him, maybe as good – or bad – as any other place to pray, today.
Today I travelled on a bus where every passenger (coming tired from work) greeted the driver and each other with ‘Peace be upon you – and upon you, peace’; while the driver, who played dabka music all the way, noticed the dove and cross on my vest and wouldn’t let me pay – today.40
“The Kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17:21) Prayer: God of peace and justice, we pray for a change of heart in those who believe that peace can be enforced by guns and those who build barriers in fear; we give thanks for those who live, day by day, in ways that make peace real. Amen.41 Iman is in the 9th grade in Qurtuba School in Hebron. Iman says that everyone in her house, including a three year old has been attacked at least three times by a group of settlers that live in her neighbourhood of Tel Rumeida in Hebron. Christian Aid partner B’Tselem has given her a camera which has allowed her to film some of the attacks and verbal abuse. Because of this video footage, one of the settlers responsible was moved away from the area. She says, “I feel two things when I’m holding the camera. More powerful – when the settlers see the camera they are more worried and careful. Then I feel that I must bring this straight away to the attention of the world – to show the world what’s happening here.” Iman has dreams to study pharmacy and travel, however she wants to live peacefully in Hebron. She has only ever met settlers and soldiers, but is very aware that not all Israelis are the same.42 “We have studied our vocation and have come to know it better in the midst of suffering Prayer: and pain: today, we bear the strength of love rather than that of revenge, a culture of We pray not for Arab or Jew life rather than a culture of death. This is a source of hope for us, for the Church for Palestinian or Israeli and for the world.” (Kairos Palestine 3.4.5) but pray rather for ourselves 43 that we might not divide them in our prayers but keep them together in our heart. Amen. 'God shall judge between the During Pesach, the Jewish Passover festival, large numbers nations, and shall arbitrate for of Jewish worshippers and visitors come to the Palestinian city many peoples; they shall beat of Hebron. Israeli soldiers escorted hundreds-strong groups their swords into plowshares, of Jewish visitors through the Old City souk. Palestinian and their spears into pruning shopkeepers either closed their shops or stood guard over their hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither goods, as sometimes in the past things were damaged. shall they learn war any more.' (Isaiah 2:4) My friends Leila and Nawal (the only women shopkeepers in the souk) were in their shop. They sell embroidered goods Prayer: made by local Palestinian women. They also sell keffiyehs, God of justice, bless our Christian, the traditional black and white scarves, made in Hebron, in the Muslim, and Jewish sisters and brothers only keffiyeh factory remaining in occupied Palestinian territory. who work for peace through justice. Strengthen their resolve in the face of As one group passed, a young Jewish man stopped and asked seemingly endless violence and terror. Leila how much a keffiyeh was. ‘Twenty shekels,’ she replied, Guide the leaders of the peoples of the ‘but if you wear it, I give it to you free.’ After a bit of Middle East to know your will and to banter, the young man took the keffiyeh and put it on. support a just peace for all of your 'Wonder whether he still wears it?’44 children. Amen.45 I used to have a swing. I enjoyed the maximum of the Prayer: limited space given by the length of its chains. It was Blessed Jesus, lifting up the restricted space, but it was enough for me to feel hope. holy land for all humankind, breathe love into our prayers When we are losing part of the space we used to own with a desire for nothing - our hope changes. Sometimes it shrinks together with other than peace: peace in our the space, sometimes it takes another dimension or often hearts, peace for all creation, can be seen from another angle. Now, we can still and especially peace in the 47 swing, we can still hope - it is yet possible. However, land that is called holy. Amen. our chains are much shorter and the given space even more limited. Paradoxically, our number is grown and our area is gone. “Hope within us means first and 46 foremost our faith in God and secondly our expectation, despite everything, for a better future.” (Kairos Palestine 3.2) Yusef is a worker in olive wood. His shop is full of Christmas crib scenes and statues of the Madonna and Child, ranging from the traditional to smooth and impressionist modern statues up to 0.5m tall. As with many Arab “O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every shopkeepers he is courteous and offers hospitality. He tells me he has a new baby, a boy, who is two months old. morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.” (Isaiah 33:2) He has seen his new son once, on the night he was born. Yusef’s wife has a permit giving residency in East Prayer: Jerusalem. Yusef does not. Every time he wants to cross the separation barrier he needs to apply for a permit. Lord God, Father of us all, we hold before you Yusef and his wife and his son; Lord Jesus Christ, born of the living God, you came among us and you broke down the walls that separate us from one another and from If Yusef’s wife were to leave her home in East Jerusalem she would lose her right to residency. The Israeli God, remove we pray the barriers and attitudes that divide peoples and break hearts; Holy Spirit, be with authorities seem to make life as uncomfortable as possible for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem and for Yusef and his family, and with all Yusef and their families, to restore peace, and joy. And hold us all in your Palestinian citizens of Israel. One day, Yusef hopes, their family will be able to live together in peace.48 everlasting arms. Amen.49 Founded in 2002 by a small number of Israelis, the Villages Group works in the Nablus area and the south Hebron hills. It now comprises a few Israelis and Palestinians working together in partnership. For example, Erella Dunayevsky, a Jewish Israeli, and Hamed Gawasmeh, a Muslim Palestinian, undertake speaking tours together. In recent years, a real separation between Palestinians and Israelis has developed. Often, the only Israelis with whom Palestinians come into contact are soldiers and settlers. The Villages Group set out to establish personal relationships to counteract this damaging effect of the occupation. They visit Palestinian communities regularly, establishing trust and friendship. They are there too at times of crisis, such as illness or home demolitions. Erella sums it up: ‘what am I doing? I know how to love, I know how to listen. It’s hard to remember that’s what I know how to do best. We all have a part in this work.’50
“AND NOW FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE ABIDE, THESE THREE; AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE.” (1 CORINTHIANS 13:13)
Prayer: We pray for change: Not with the power of guns, but dignified silence, Not with the power of the machismo, but the presence of women, Not with the power of barriers, but with the freedom of trust and security.51 to act as human shields to protect the Palestinian olive harvest Chat room 2: Reflect on the stories that you have read Week 4 from vandalism and assault by settlers living on nearby land53; over the last 7 days. What stories of love have spoken to Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) provide a protective presence you? How have these stories, and the others you have read to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights during Advent, shaped your own Christmas preparations? Group Study: Love abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace.54 The Women in Black stand every Friday in Jerusalem in a Two Church of Scotland ministers, Muriel Pearson and Bob Light a candle (or 4) and enjoy a time of silence. vigil to end the abuses to Palestinians.55 Brown, travelled to Bethlehem to take part in a conference organised to mark the second anniversary of the publication Prayer: God, who brings light into dark places in unexpected On a more vocal political level organisations such as Scottish Jews of the Kairos Palestine document. Here is part of their third ways, fill our hearts and minds with expectation of insight into for a Just Peace56 lobby for ‘human, civil and political rights of and final blog entry, written after a visit to Daoud Nassar’s Action: The Kairos document includes messages to the Churches the possibilities that faith hope and love in you can bring. Amen the Palestinian people and the ethical and political welfare of the Tent of Nations (see day 8): of the world. There is a word of thanks for solidarity shown; a Jewish people.’ Like faith, love can never be passive but needs to call to repentance for theology that supports injustice, a call to Chat room 1: Christmas is now very close and everyone will be be active. condemn racism including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia and a thinking about gifts that will be given and received. Our time in Bethlehem has come to an end, but like the call to come and see and a call to action. Faith and love are about Ask the group to share how they feel about the gifts they have Kairos thought: Love is seeing the face of God in every human visitors from the East in the Christmas story, we are returning action. What action can your group make in response to what you bought – are they excited, are the gifts going to be a surprise, or being. Every person is my brother and sister. However seeing home by another route. We are convinced that the injustices have read? are they worried about the cost, did they feel obliged or pressured the face of God in everyone does not mean accepting evil or being perpetrated here mean that we cannot sit on the fence. into buying something? aggression on their part. Rather love seeks to correct the evil and What the Israeli government is doing to the Palestinian people Before you leave the group today, make a commitment to one stop the aggression.’ (4;2) is wrong. change in behaviour, or to do one thing in response to what Now ask the group to share what they would really like for you have learned – this could include supporting both Israeli Christmas. This could be a gift item, or it might be something that We say to our Christian brothers and sisters, “This is the time for The systematic squeezing of a people, the corralling into what and Palestinian organisations working for peace, writing to can’t be gift wrapped – like someone helping with the dishes, or a repentance. Repentance brings us back to the communion of love are effectively open prisons where Palestinians cannot work an MP/MSP, or committing to buying produce from Palestinian loved one spending more time with them. with everyone who suffers… the communion of love says to every their land or build houses, cannot travel Israeli roads or cross suppliers. believer in spirit and in truth: if my brother is a prisoner, I am a into Jerusalem, and often cannot find work, is shocking. These From the stories that you have read over the course of this prisoner; if his home is destroyed, my home is destroyed; when my things have to be made known and have to be stopped by the Prayer: week, what gift do you think the Palestinian people would most brother is killed, then I am killed too” (5:2) efforts of the international community. Help us, God of love, appreciate this Christmas? What gift might an Israeli like? To make room in our hearts this Christmas. God’s word: 1 John 4: 7-12 The grace of so many people we have met, who refuse to hate, We offer repentance for our ignorance, Fact on the ground: There are many people working away quietly who do not deny that Israelis should have a home but demand indifference and lack of compassion on the ground who never make the media – ‘Rabbis for Human It is almost time for our celebration of ‘love come down at only to be seen as equal human beings, is inspirational. Fill us with your love Rights (RHR)’ ‘MachsonWatch’,52 the Ecumenical Accompaniment Christmas’. In what ways has your journey with Scripture and The separation barrier must come down. Show us how to live love in action Programme in Palestine Israel, (EAPPI) and other peace with stories from Israel and oPt, and most of all the Kairos ‘cry of And so be born in us again. organisations. RHR are best known for dispatching volunteers faith hope and love’ shaped your preparations? We are off the fence. Amen. Prayer: Lord, you came to set us free yet many are still gripped by fear, fear of other people, fear of accepting the inclusiveness of your love. Give us the courage to recognise and to evict, from ourselves and
the world, 58 all that prevents your vision for one world, one people. Amen.
Lana is a Palestinian woman who lives in Jerusalem and drives every day to work in Ramallah in the West Bank. She told me this story: One day, she was making the trip with her eight-year-old daughter. The twenty- five-foot-high separation barrier accompanied them on the six-mile journey. Her daughter suddenly turned to her and asked, “Mommy, why do they make the Jews “AND WHAT DOES THE LORD live behind that wall?” The wall, the separation barrier, had been built to keep this child out, but she REQUIRE OF YOU saw the builders of the separation barrier as the prisoners. Although Palestinians are often cut off BUT TO DO JUSTICE, from their farmlands, markets, and families and forced to undergo humiliating and unpredictable delays, they AND TO LOVE KINDNESS, have not lost their dignity or hope. In contrast, so AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH many citizens of Israel are57 the prisoners of their own fear, a fear buttressed by their failure to get to know their Palestinian neighbours for YOUR GOD?” (MICAH 6:8) whom they truly are. Both peoples are in need of liberation. “Mummy, what is the sea like? Little boy: Please take me to the sea.”
Mother: “I can’t – it is against the law.” Friend: “COME WITH MEWE AND WILL MY TAKE FAMILY, YOU.”
PRAYER: And so it happened that a little boy – and his THERE IS NO “MUST” ABOUT A mother – from near Bethlehem, were taken to WALL OR A FEAR THAT DIVIDES the sea near Jaffa, by a woman from Jerusalem. THERE IS NO “MUST” WHICH SAYS What’s unusual about that? The little boy and his TOMORROW WILL BE LIKE TODAY. mother were Arabs. The woman from Jerusalem was THE ONLY “MUST” IS THAT LOVE Jewish. The Arab family broke the law by going to WILL WIN; THAT GOD IS STRONGER the sea. The Jewish woman broke the law by taking THAN EVIL. 61 them. Neither women knew the Bible, which speaks YOUR KINGDOM COME, O GOD; of “there being neither Jew nor Greek, but being one YOUR WILL BE DONE. AMEN. in Christ.” But they lived as if they did know59 it. They were sisters, children of Abraham. They were sisters, children in God’s family. But their homes were separated by the separation barrier.
“No one is born hating another person because of the60 colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” - Nelson Mandela Claire owns a gift shop in Bethlehem close to Rachel’s Tomb. It used to be on the bustling Patriarch’s Road into Bethlehem. Now it is enclosed on three sides by the 8m concrete separation barrier. ‘Only the curious venture there’.62 This extraordinary arrangement is to allow pilgrims freedom of movement to the holy site of Rachel’s Tomb. Rachel’s Tomb and Claire’s tomb are 500 metres apart. Claire says, ‘‘The day the walls went up my children came home from school and cried “Mama they are burying us alive!”’ On my way to the airport in Tel Aviv I noticed that the walls and watchtowers of the high security prison are made of the same grey concrete. What tenacity – or lack of alternative options - keeps a family living in a home surrounded by such walls?63
“They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. They acted shamefully, the committed abomination; yet they were not ashamed, they did not know how to blush.” (Jeremiah 6:14-15)
Prayer: Surround us/me with a wall of faith that has spaces for those of other faiths or none Surrounds us /me with a wall of hope that has spaces for possibilities beyond imagination. Surround us/me with a wall of love that has spaces for those who challenge us. Surround us /me with your security that gives us confidence, determination and perseverance to work for a world of justice and peace. Amen.64 hank you thatSend us Prayer: Lord, thank you for freeing us from all fears. T fears shall have no power over us, because you are there for us. into ourso thatworld, we can be agents of liberation 66from all fears. Amen
“But the angel said to them, Fear seems to be the mark of our century. Human beings seem to be formed not of clay, but of fear. “Do not be afraid” ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I is not about being courageous. The message heard 2000 years ago, in Roman occupied Palestine, by the shepherds, the margin am bringing you good news of alized in that society, opens a new understanding of living without fears although surrounded by fears. God came to save us from that great joy for all the people; to fear that paralyzes us. God set us free. The fear lost its control you is born this day in the city over us. Does this mean that we are saved from trouble, from wars, of David a Saviour, who is the from disease, from worries? Not at all: we will still pass through troubled waters, but when we pass through troubled waters, God Messiah, the Lord.” will be there with us and for us so that the powerful rivers will not (Luke 2, 10-11) overwhelm us. Because God is there for us and with us, we shall not fear. For here is one who is greater than the greatest fear. -
65 Villagers in Yanoun (one of the seven placements of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel – EAPPI) have a new UK-funded computer lab and audio-visual room to learn new skills and watch films. As soon as the lab opened, children clustered around the computers. EAPPI Programme Coordinator, Pauline Nunu, said that such facilities are essential for the village to continue to exist. “This is about empowering the next generation in Yanoun and helping them access education and skills without having to leave their homes.”
The opening of the computer lab gives a much-needed boost to the tiny village at a time when it is suffering from an upsurge in violence from the neighbouring settlement of Itamar. In July, a settler attack on farmers ended with five Palestinians being injured and fields set alight. Several families have left the village in recent years, and the United Nations says this latest attack highlights concerns that more Yanoun villagers could be displaced.67 Education is the key to challenging the violence that destroys lives tragically on both sides. Prayer: Spirit of God, “The ways of force must give way to the ways of justice.” who moves our hearts and lives with love. (Kairos Palestine 4.2.2) We give thanks for children everywhere, Deliver us from ransoming68 their future. For with your love in our hearts, all things are possible. Prayer: God of peace and hope, Long ago, the pilgrims met the King in Jerusalem while they were on their encourage those who seek to establish a way to Bethlehem, where they found the baby they had been looking for. fair and just peace in They worshipped him, and went home. There was Peace in their hearts. the Middle East. The King’s men came to Bethlehem, looking for the baby. To be on the safe Bless their efforts side and make sure they got him, they killed toddlers and babies under the age as they work to end the occupation and the of two. They thought they would ensure there was peace in the Kingdom. conflict that flows from it. The baby grew up, and said: “Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you. Lead those who 28 engage in violence I do not give to you as the world gives.” to put down their weapons Today, Pilgrims pass through Jerusalem on their way to Bethlehem. As and to live in peace with one another. they enter Bethlehem, Peace is offered to them in the form of a wall Amen70 and guns in the watchtower. When will we humans listen to the baby of 69 Bethlehem? “In order to understand our reality, we say to the Churches: Come and see. We will fulfil our role to make known to you the truth of our reality, receiving you as pilgrims coming to us to pray, carrying a message of peace, love and reconciliation.” (Kairos Palestine 6.2) Christmas Day When I understand Jesus’ words in the Aramaic, I “God is the Lord of “We are used to hearing the Beatitudes expressed translate like this: all and loves all, passively: Get up, go ahead, do something, move, you who demanding justice Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, are hungry and thirsty for justice, for you shall be for they shall be satisfied. satisfied. from all and issuing However, when I look to Jesus’ Aramaic, I find that Get up, go ahead, do something, move, you to all of us the the original word (for blessed) was ASHRAY, which peacemakers, for you shall be called children of God. same commandments. does not have this passive quality to it. Instead, it means “to set yourself on the right way for the right To me, this reflects Jesus’ words and teachings much Our question to our goal; to turn around, repent; to become straight or more accurately. I can hear him saying, “Get your brothers and sisters righteous.” hands dirty to build a human society for human in the Churches beings; otherwise, others will torture and murder the today is: Are you able How could I go to a persecuted young man in a poor, the voiceless, and the powerless.” Christianity is Palestinian refugee camp, for instance, and say, not passive but active, energetic, alive, going beyond to help us get our “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be despair.” (Elias Chacour, Archbishop of the Melkite freedom back, for comforted,” or “Blessed are those who are persecuted Greek Catholic Church)71 this is the only way for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven?” That man would revile me, say neither I you can help the nor my God understood his plight, and he would be two peoples attain right. justice, peace, security and love?” (Kairos Prayer: Ya-arabba Ssalami Palestine 6.1) Ya-arabba ssalami amter aalalyna ssalam Ya-arabba ssalami imla’ qulubana ssalam God of peace, in your wisdom, Give us the will to seek peace; God of peace and of healing, Fill every heart with your peace! End notes Some further resources
Kairos Palestine: A moment of truth. www.kairospalestine.ps 3. Thoughts from outside 1. www.kairospalestine.ps 32. Rev Catherine Buchan Palestine--Peace Not Apartheid. Jimmy Carter, 2006 2. Message from the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 34. Rev. Susan Brown 1.History They Came and They Saw, Michael Prior, Melisende www.wwppi.org 35. Magi Abdul-Masih: Sabeel 2004; An advent study course From the Holy Mountain: A Journey Among the Christians of the The Invention of the Jewish People. Shlomo Sand, Verso Press, 2009 3, 4,6,7, 40,41. Jan Sutch Pickard 37. Carol Finlay Middle East: W. Dalrymple: Henry Holt, New York, 1997 Fatal Embrace. Mark Braverman, Synergy Books, 2010 5. A moment of truth: Kairos Palestine ©2011 the Canadian 38. Or tefillin, a pair of small, black, leather boxes containing The Arab Christian – A History in the Middle East: K. Cragg, John The Other Israel: Voices of Refusal and Dissent. The New Press, New Churches Forum for Global Ministries, scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, Knox Press, Louisville, 1991 York, 2002 8,33, 42. Christian Aid which are worn by observant Jews. Israel: Martin Gilbert : Black Swan, 1998 Stephen Sizer (2004); Christian Zionism and the Road map to 9. Ailsa Henderson 39. A four-wheel drive military vehicle. Armageddon; Inter Varsity Press 10, 11, 18, 19. Rev. George Shand, St. Andrew’s Church, 43. Based on a prayer of a Palestinian Christian, used courtesy 2.Local writers Extreme Rambling: Walking Israel’s Separation Barrier For Fun. Mark Jerusalem of Christian Aid Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land. E. Chacour: Marshall Thomas (2012) 12. Name withheld 45. Prayer Petitions (Ecumenical Prayer Vigil). Prayers Pickering, London, 1990 The Advent of Peace: a gospal journey to Christmas. Mary C Grey 13. Very Reverend Dr Alan D McDonald collected for the prayer vigil in the U.S. From 2000 to 2005 A Continent Called Palestine – One woman’s story. N. Kawar Farah: (SPCK 2010) 14, 59, 69. Rev. Clarence Musgrave 46. Johny Andonia, Dar al-Kalima College, Bethlehem Triangle, London, 1996 15, 22, 68. Rev Kathy Galloway 47. Ecumenical Prayer Vigil I Am A Palestinian Christian: M. Raheb, Fortress, Minneapolis, 1995. 4. Bible 16,17. Very Reverend David Arnott. An excerpt from “A Theology 49. Very Rev Dr David Lunan Bethlehem Besieged, M Raheb (Augsburg Fortress 2004) The Biblical Text in the context of occupation, M Raheb, CreateSpace of Being” The report of the retiring Moderator to the 52. http://www.machsomwatch.org/en/ Challenging Christian Zionism, Naim Ateek; Cedar Duaybis; Maurine 2012 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, May 19, 2012 53. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbis_for_Human_Rights Tobin (Editors): Melisende, 2005 Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes. Kenneth Bailey, SPCK, 2008 20. http://www .jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_ 54, 67. http://www.eappi.org/ Justice and Only Justice – A Palestinian Theology of Liberation. N. S. The Land, the Bible and History. Marchadour and Neuhaus, Fordham Culture/christpop.html 55. http://www.womeninblack.org/es/history Ateek, Orbis, Maryknoll, 1990 University Press, 2007. 21, 48, 63 Rev. Muriel Pearson 56. http://blog.sjjp.org.uk/index.php/about/ An Israeli In Palestine. Jeff Halper, 2008 The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. Ilan Pappe : One World Web materials 23, 36, 44, 50, Maureen Jack 57. Mark Braverman, Jewish American author and peace activist Publications, 2006 www.christianaid.org.uk/whatwedo/middle-east 24. Walter Dunlop 60. Nelson Mandela, Autobiography Hidden Histories : Palestine and the Eastern Mediterranean. Basem www.eappi.org - The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in 25. Nakba (Catastrophe) commemorates the mass displacement, 61. Very Rev Dr Andrew McLellan L. Ra’ad Pluto Press 2010 Palestine and Israel, an initiative of the World Council of Churches massacres and destruction of property of the Palestinian 62. From www.wearewideawake Palestinian Walks. Raja Shehadeh Profile Books 2007 www.gush-shalom.org - “The primary aim of Gush Shalom is people in 1948. 65, 66. Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, President, Diyar Consortium, Occupied with Nonviolence. Jean Zaru, Fortress Press to influence Israeli public opinion and lead it towards peace and 26, 27. Rev. Colin Johnston, St. Andrew’s Church, Tiberias Bethlehem I shall not hate. Izzeldin Abuelaish, Bloomsbury Press, 2011 reconciliation with the Palestinian people” – taken from the Gush 28, 58. Rev. Christine Sime 70. Prayer Petitions (Ecumenical Prayer Vigil). Prayers Jeff Halper (2008): An Israeli in Palestine: Resisting dispossession, Shalom website. 29. Rev. Mark B. Brown, Regional Representative, The Lutheran collected for the prayer vigil in the U.S. From 2000 to 2005. redeeming Israel. Pluto press www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ Gives statistical World Federation, Jerusalem 71. Quoted from Chacour, E. We belong to the Land Kairos for Palestine, Rifat Odeh Kassis, 2011. Designed and Printed information on Israel and the West Bank 30. Ecumenical Prayer Vigil in Ramallah, Bailasan, www.hadeel.org - Hadeel is a Fair Trade shop which aims to provide a 31, 51, 64. Eildon Dyer After Zionism, One State for Israel and Palestine, ed. Amtony sustainable source of income for craftspeople working in community Lowenstein and Ahmed Moor,2012 based groups in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon. Picture Credits
Day 1 http://www.ryanrodrickbeiler.com Day 2 http://www.ryanrodrickbeiler.com Day 3 Khitam Sbeih:Christian Aid/Charlotte Marshall Day 4 Fida’ Fawzy Nastas - Is Keeping Our Houses a Crime? Day 5 Muriel Pearson Day 6 http://www.ryanrodrickbeiler.com Day 7 Ian Alexander Day 8 Daoud Nassar, Tent of Nations: Ian Alexander Day 9 http://www.ryanrodrickbeiler.com Day 10 Fida’ Fawzy Nastas - Freedom is a Must Day 11 Jimmy Maxwell Day 12 Ian Alexander Day 13 Ian Alexander Day 14 Ian Alexander Day 15 Fida’ Fawzy Nastas - The View from the West Bank Day 16 Ian Alexander Day 17 Christian Aid Day 18 Christian Aid/ Tom Pilston Day 19 © Loïc Brohard @ brohardphotography.blogspot.com Day 20 Trying to Swing, Johny Andonia Day 21 http://www.ryanrodrickbeiler.com Day 22 Hamad Qawasmeh Day 23 Fida’ Fawzy Nastas - Who to Blame? Day 24 Clarence Musgrave Day 25 Claire’s house: http://www.ryanrodrickbeiler.com Day 26 A heavily-armed settler in Yanoun with Israeli soldiers, 7 July 2012: EAPPI/K. Roldan Day 27 EAPPI Day 28 Painting: “Mother with Child” by Fadi Dabdoub, Bethlehem: Church of Scotland World Mission Council Christmas card 2008 Christmas Day Ra’fat Rashaydah
Working with Faten Nastas, Chairperson of the Visual Arts department of Dar al-Kalima College in Bethlehem, the students were invited to submit a piece of original art work for this resource. The winning picture has been used on Christmas Day. An original oil on canvas was submitted by Ra’fat Rashaydah and entitled ‘Bethlehem at night’. Ra’fat is from Rashaydah tribe (a Bedouin tribe) that is settled south east Bethlehem and near the Dead Sea. His paintings are reflecting his memory of Bethlehem during his childhood and how Bethlehem looked at night from Rashaydah village, with glooming shining lights. He based the picture on Mathew 5, 14 – 15.
Text gathered and edited by Julia A Cato.