Christmas message

I write this having just returned from the Holy Land (as part of a trip organised by the East London Three Faiths Forum) and, therefore, having recently visited Bethlehem.

To reach Bethlehem today it is necessary to pass through the separation wall which the Israeli Government erected in 2002 between Israel and the West Bank. The Israeli West Bank barrier is a 400-mile long network of high walls, electronic fences, gates and trenches which Israel claims has stopped suicide bombings and the Palestinian's claim has annexed large tracts of land.

A Christmas card depicts the Holy Family unable to reach Bethlehem because they have been stopped by this wall, while a Nativity set has been produced with the wall running through it separating wise men and camels from the crib. Although tourists and pilgrims continue to visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in their thousands on a daily basis, it seems that we have not heard the message which the angels sang before Jesus’ birth of peace on earth.

Steve Turner's poem ‘History Lesson’ says:

‘History repeats itself.
Has to.
No-one listens.’

It is one thing to celebrate Christmas and another to visit Bethlehem itself but what really matters is to hear the song of peace that the angels sang announcing Jesus’ birth as the Prince of Peace. He came, through his death on the cross, to remove walls of separation between human beings and to return all people to relationship with God. It is only when we know this peace, which passes understanding, in our hearts, minds and relationships that we have truly taken on board the Christmas message.

Jesus, through his birth, life, death and resurrection, calls us to be peacemakers. It is, therefore, appropriate that St John’s Seven Kings has been fundraising over the past two years for a Christian Aid Partnership Project which supports people living with disabilities in Lebanon and the West Bank through new employment or business opportunities. These are provided by the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union and the East Jerusalem YMCA. This project seeks to work across divisions to provide help to those most in need and we need a final fundraising push this Christmas to complete our support of this project.

It may be that contributing to this project will be your way of hearing afresh the Christmas message of peace on earth.

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Steve Bell - Magnificat.