Christmas in Bethlehem x 3
Christians celebrated Christmas on December 25th while the Armenians celebrate today, January 6th and the Eastern Orthodox celebrate tomorrow January 7th.
This year I visited Bethlehem prior to Christmas Eve partly because of the protests that have been going on in the West Bank and partly because of the weather during Christmas. The rain is a true blessing because it keeps the protesters from gathering. Protests are not a bad thing, it is good to be heard, but when they turn violent it is not the answer.
Jesus is the answer. Jesus who was born in Bethlehem. Jesus the light to the world.
Israel was also celebrating the miracle of light, Hanukkah. This Hanukkiah standing at the Western Wall is a reminder of the nes gadol (great miracle) of light. During Hanukkah Jews and some Christians light the candles for 8 days while remembering and celebrating the miracle.
JOHN 10:22 (CJB) Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, 23 and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo’s Colonnade. 24 So the Judeans surrounded him and said to him, “How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us publicly!”
Jesus is the light, Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus is the answer.
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December 27th was a special day for the christians in Israel. Each year the President of the State of Israel hosts a reception in honor of the Heads of the Christian Communities in Israel. Several years I have attended this reception as part of the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem where I serve as the Visa Administrator. We are blessed to be a part of the Christian Community in Israel and grateful to the President and Israeli Government for taking the time to honor us.
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(Photo from HaAretz)
