I’m writing this on Christmas Eve 2023. Like most of you, no doubt, I’ve seen the haunting images from Israel - first of the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7th, and ever since then of the relentless bombing of Gaza. In both places, millions of innocent people have been caught in the crossfire between the Hamas terrorists who seek to destroy Israel and have slaughtered many of its people, and the Israeli Defense Forces whose only direct line to Hamas is through a human shield of innocent Palestinians behind which the terror network hides.
This is the time when Christians turn their thoughts to the little town of Bethlehem, the city of Jesus’ birth. We have an idyllic understanding of Bethlehem, formed from reading about Bethlehem in the Gospel narratives, hearing about it in well-known carols, and seeing visions of it in nativity pageants, creches, art, and film. Bethlehem is on the West Bank, an Israeli-occupied territory that is home to more than 2.5 million Palestinians. Its economy is driven by tourism, consisting largely of pilgrimages by Christians from all over the world who come to visit the place of their Savior’s birth. Those pilgrimages, and the economy they support, have largely, if not entirely, ground to a halt this year in light of the tragic war that has pushed the region into darkness.
Most of us Americans know little about modern-day Bethlehem, and less than we should about the history behind the current conflict. But today I caught a tiny glimpse of how life in Bethlehem has changed these last few months when I listened to a recent episode of “Jesuitical,” a podcast aimed at young Catholics which I check out from time to time. The guest for the episode is Stephanie Saldana, a writer from Texas who earned a degree from Harvard Divinity School and has lived in the Middle East for two decades. She reports on the current climate among the small number of Christians who live in Bethlehem, characterized by a combination of fear and hope.
Here is a link to the podcast. Go to the episode titled “Christmas in Bethlehem During a War.” Ms. Saldana’s interview begins at 11:21. I recommend it for anyone curious about how the war has affected the small Christian community in Bethlehem and the city overall.
Wishing all people, of all faiths, races, and nationalities, the Peace on Earth that is the promise of these days.