Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The Everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

Usually Christmas Eve is a festive night in Bethlehem with crowded streets, multiple Masses, lights and cheer. But this year the streets will be dark and it will be a silent town. Bethlehem is in the West Bank, Palestinian Territory, and the inhabitants of the land of Jesus’ birth are at war.

Simple people long for peace. People love their families and want to live in security with enough food and the opportunity for education for their children. In Bethlehem on that first Christmas, God was born to fulfill human hope for peace in this world and eternal life after this life has ended.

Simple people long for peace, but there are people who delight in power and war. On that first Christmas, a humble child was born in a cave where animals were kept. He was born in poverty and filth. He was born in a cave because there was no room for him in the decent places.

That child, Jesus, grew up and told us that what we do to and for the least of his brothers and sisters, we do to and for him. From his birth, Jesus conveyed God’s option for the poor and the lowly ones.

Jesus’ birth and life teach us that God is always on the side of the oppressed and never on the side of oppressors; on the side of the lowly and not on the side of the haughty and powerful; on the side of peace makers and not on the side of those who stoke hatred and revenge.

On Christmas God entered our world because He loves us. He loves everyone, including sinners. He calls us to love one another. And God asks us to tell others the Good News that God has not given up on humankind, despite our sins.

Pray for peace in Israel and Palestine!