In 2012, I visited Bethlehem, where I attended the Christ at the Checkpoint conference. He would not remember, but it was there and then that I met Dr. Munther Isaac. Little did I know that one day, we would become colleagues, as he is the Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College, a partner school of St. Stephen's University, where I now serve as Principal. Munther is a beloved pastor and peacemaker, who is a leading voice for Palestinean Christians and nonviolent resistance to the oppressive policies his people experience in his homeland. He works tirelessly to advance the message, "Love your neighbor as yourself." 

For those who are confused about what is happening in Israel/Palestine right now, and especially those who feel, misinformed, powerless and despairing, please get a copy of his book, The Other Side of the Wall: A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Lament and Hope.

First, I wrote a series of reflective reports about my experiences and interviews. HERE is one that survived. Then, months later, my first Christmas after Bethlehem, I composed a Christmas article. As I read it now, I see everything I saw then amplified exponentially, and all the Advent feelings of hope, grief, and despair are magnified.

I don't have the heart to update that article with current news items that would be even more poignant, urgent, and extreme. But I repost it now to illustrate that which is timeless. A backstory to today's headlines, a history leading toward October 7th and the destruction of Gaza.       

Dateline Bethlehem – Circa 6 BC
Royal Birth in Bethlehem

Eyewitness accounts of a royal proclamation are trickling in from Bethlehem tonight. Details are being pieced together around what initially seemed like bogus reports of alien lights over a shepherd’s pasture. One bystander captured this audio of a ‘flash mob’ recording a choral announcement of the birth of Israel’s Messiah:

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger… Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14)

King Herod denies any involvement in the spectacle, but inquiries are under way. What was the source of this pyrotechnic broadcast? Can rumors of an unexpected royal birth be true? Israel’s chief priests and scribes, combing the national archives, have issued a press release about the location of the Messiah’s expected birthplace:

“In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matt. 2:4-6)

Dateline Bethlehem – Circa 4 BC
Weeping in Ramah

In a shocking turn of events, the King launched Special Forces into Bethlehem last night. The house-to-house raids were part of an operation to detain suspects purportedly plotting a coup d’etat to depose the king. Herod’s increasingly erratic policies have led to violence again. Every male under two years old in the Bethlehem vicinity was slaughtered by dawn. Funeral processions fill the streets, with family members parading tiny shrouded bodies while chanting the lyrics of Jeremiah:

“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,
 Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be comforted,
 because they were no more.” (Matt. 2:16-18)

Peace on Earth?
Bethlehem then and now

The advent angels’ song of joy and peace notwithstanding, the major news items immediately after the birth of Jesus were grievous – bloody reports of infanticide in Bethlehem at the hands of a paranoid ruler. Joseph’s family flees into Egypt as refugees with no right of return. The stubborn fact is that the birth of Christ did not end hostility the David’s birthplace or across our world to this day. Even the traditional site of Christ’s birth has seen waves of repeated violence since Herod’s famous crime against humanity. If Jesus was indeed the promised Prince of Peace, where is the peace?