Tonight in Bethlehem

Last-minute note: On Thursday, Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh was arrested in Al-Walaja, where he is involved with the demonstrations against Israel’s building of the separation wall (see map—Al-Walaja is in upper left, dotted red line is where the wall is now being constructed). Watch a video where he describes his arrest and subsequent release: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaa_6I-PMoM . More demonstrations are planned for Friday, Christmas Eve.


Christmas Eve, Luke
Luke 2.1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. (photo: Bethlehem checkpoint, 2008)


All went to their own towns to be registered. (photo: Bethlehem checkpoint, 2009)



Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. (photo: Bethlehem's main street, divided by the wall)



He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. (photo: family being evicted, Al-Aruqib, July, 2010)



While they were there the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (photo: Bedouin village of Al-Araqib, demolished by Israeli soldiers July, 2010)


In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel sais to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (photo is Beit Sahour, "Shepherds' Fields," where Israeli military is building a guard tower)

This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
Glory to God in the hightest heaven,
And on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (photo: Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem)

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” (photo: the Wall in Bethlehem)

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

God of all miracles, you sent your son into a suffering world. He healed the sick, cast out demons and fed the hungry. Be with us tonight as we ponder all that we have seen and heard. Guide our hearts in your way of reconciliation, and stir us to action in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.