Christmas Appeal 2021: Our Hope Has No Barriers
As I contemplate the dire situation in Palestine, particularly in Bethlehem, I am tempted to be disheartened.
As in Jesus’ times, Palestinian Christians and Moslems suffer under an increasingly restrictive and invasive regime. Bethlehem is not only surrounded by a high wall, but new restrictions are said to prohibit tourists from staying in Bethlehem overnight. This year, there are too many empty rooms and plenty of space in the inns of Bethlehem. But for two years now, no guests or pilgrims have been coming.
However, the message of Christmas is one of hope. Into this suffering world comes a humble infant to proclaim the good news, to preach peace on earth, and to lift up our spirits with the miracle of a newborn baby who will somehow, someday redeem the world and bring it into glory. That is the hope that keeps us going in these dark times.
FOSNA attempts to be an agent for that hope, proclaiming the good news of liberation and justice in this land, offering our continued support to our brothers and sisters living under occupation and oppression.
Our message this Christmas season proclaims loudly:
Glory to God in Highest, and Peace on Earth, Joy and Happiness to people of Goodwill throughout the Earth!
Your generous contribution will allow this work to continue and expand: to help people in Palestine, to amplify their message in this country, and to proclaim again our witness for justice and liberation. Please give, as you can, to this very important work, and keep hope alive this Christmas and in the coming New Year.
As we turn our eyes to Bethlehem, I wish also to invite you to an Online Film Salon that FOSNA is co-sponsoring with our friends at Voices from the Holy Land (Sunday, December 12 at 3:00pm EST/12:00pm PST).
Participants will discuss two documentary films about the situation of Christians in Palestine:
Bethlehem - The Living Stones, and
Christians of Palestine: Life Behind the Wall.
For more information, or to register: Christians in Palestine: Two Films
Blessings,
Jonathan Kuttab
Executive Director