Bethlehem faithful prepare for the coming of Christ

A few months ago, the Network of Christian Organizations in Bethlehem (NCOB) organized an

event near the Apartheid Wall in Bethlehem, and invited local, international, grass roots, official and civil organizations and groups to participate.

The event took place next to Sumud Centre/ House of Peace, in an area trapped between the Wall and the Bethlehem-Jerusalem Military Checkpoint. Around one hundred attendees came from the various organizations, including the mayor of Bethlehem and EAPPI team, as well as representatives of the Bil’in Popular Committee.

The attendees marched by the Wall in a candle vigil, expressing their rejection to this separation and land annexation.

The ceremony concluded with a joint Ramadan breakfast, shared by Palestinian Muslim, Christian and international representatives. [source]

These details and images were extracted from the Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI) website [about JAI]

Reading this article and others (IMEMC) dealing with present day Bethlehem, one wonders how any wise men from the east would have made it into Bethlehem if the star of hope had appeared today instead of 2000 years ago. It also leads me to conclude that we need wise men (from all directions) today, more than ever before.

These Carols express the joy that humanity is filled with because God’s love has become known to all of us through His prophets. In this way, God is always with us, by His gracious mercy. His love and truth are available to ALL regardless of where you are born or what those in error label you as (i.e. the false labels of Jew or gentile, black or white). Praise God for truth. May humanity turn away from error and be set free by the truth.

 

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear

[My all time and most loved Carol -- right click & save

or just listen :Vienna Boys' Choir: mp3]

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel. [source]

◊◊ 

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
Refrain
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
Refrain
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Refrain
See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
Refrain
Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations.
Refrain
Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?
Refrain
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
Refrain