To Bethlehem

O little Town of Bethlehem

forgive us for the lie

our churches tell - that all is well

as Christmas Eve draws nigh.

For in your dark streets roameth

the settler with his gun.

In Gaza, bombs are raining down;

there’s nowhere left to run.

Our carols will be lovely.

Our preachers will proclaim

that Christ is born, but ‘ere the morn

more bombs will kill and maim

We ask the Christmas angels

“Where are today’s wise men?”

They’re kneeling in their velvet pews,

ignoring this great sin.

The baby in the manger

calls us to save the child

who lies beneath the smoldering ruins,

his life and race reviled.

His parents in the rubble

are crying out for aid,

but we’re too busy making sure

the bombers are well paid.

None who would worship Jesus

can celebrate tonight.

While we enable all this death,

we dare not speak of Light! 

                     ~ Susanne Hoder