CLB-0-0 Bulletin: Bethlehem and Christmas 2000 - a definite maybe; plus one other item

From: "Clergy Mail List"

Thu, 21 Dec 2000

Clergy/Leaders' Mail-list Bulletin No. 0-013 -- Thu 21 Dec 2000 Items: 1 Bethlehem and Christmas 2000 - a definite maybe 2 Religious Liberty and Christmas 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------- BETHLEHEM AND CHRISTMAS 2000 - A DEFINITE MAYBE Since our CLB-0-012 quoted a report that Christmas 2000 festivities were cancelled in Bethlehem, it has also been reported that they are still definitely on. We are grateful to Ramon Williams for researching the various reports. One news report that appeared to be dated 11 December said: CHRISTMAS TO BE CELEBRATED IN BETHLEHEM DESPITE FIGHTING There will be a Christmas in Bethlehem this year. Despite violence in Palestinian territories in Israel, the city of Christ's birth will be open to visitors, Mayor Hanna Nasser said. Hotels have reported many cancellations because of the violence, prompting some to speculate that Christmas activities would be canceled. "All the rumors about the cancellation of Christmas in Bethlehem are ridiculous," Nasser said. "Hanging over Bethlehem is a sad atmosphere, but we are going to celebrate Christmas," Nasser said. Another news service reported, apparently on 12 December: PLANS FOR BETHLEHEM'S CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES COME TO PREMATURE END (ENI) Plans for Christmas festivities in Bethlehem ... have come to a premature end, as the town remains virtually sealed off from the outside world because of the violence raging in the region. . . . Bethlehem is only a ten-minute drive from Jerusalem. But tourists who wish to make the journey have to seek special permission to cross through an Israeli military checkpoint at the entrance to the West Bank. The town's mayor, Hanna Nasser, a Roman Catholic, does not believe the situation will improve before Christmas. Tourists had cancelled their visits and were no longer coming to Bethlehem, he said. He believed that even at Christmas there would be only "a few hundred" people this year instead of the 20,000 or so foreign tourists and worshippers who normally gather in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Because of the clashes, the activities planned for the last three months of the anniversary year had been "cancelled altogether," Nasser said. Yet another report (10 December) stated: The annual Christmas festivities in Bethlehem's Manger Square have been cancelled, because the organizers have deemed it inappropriate to celebrate when Palestinians all over the West Bank and Gaza are being killed. On-the-spot TV reports from Bethlehem this week tended to doubt there would be celebrations, including an interviewee expressing the 'inappropriate' view as above. Certainly there could not be the Shepherds' Field pageant. The Middle East situation is of course the real matter for prayer and concern. We can only wait and see what does happen in Bethlehem in 2000, but in the whole context, it hardly seems important. Thank God, there is no doubt at all about the world shattering event that did happen at the first Christmas. And the following item is cetainly a reality check . . . ------------------------------ RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND CHRISTMAS 2000 Christians around the world will have vastly differing experiences of Christmas 2000. Many believers will be separated from loved ones due to imprisonment in filthy, hostile prisons in Laos, China, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia and beyond. In jihad ravaged Sudan, Chechnya and Maluku, many will be far too grief-stricken and traumatised to enjoy Christmas. Many Christians will meet on Christmas day in quiet, secret gatherings, for fear of harassment, beatings, honour killings and imprisonment. This Christmas, let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering crippling discrimination and terrible persecution because of their faith, that they will find hope and comfort in their Saviour, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace - Immanuel - God with us. (Isaiah 9:6; 7:14; Matthew 1:23). [The above item is a summary of the current WEF Religious Liberty Prayer weekly bulletin. To receive the full 2-page bulletin each week, send a blank e-mail to .] ------------------------------ End of Clergy/Leaders' Mail-list Bulletin No. 0-013 ********************************************************* ____________________________ Clergy/Leaders' Mailing List (Moderated) This mailing list is open to all Christians via Internet e-mail. Submissions welcome: (in DOS ASCII Text format please if 'attached' or 'imported') To subscribe, e-mail to: clergy-request@pastornet.net.au with SUBJECT reading SUBSCRIBE To unsubscribe, e-mail to: clergy-request@pastornet.net.au with SUBJECT reading UNSUBSCRIBE Copyright: Postings may be re-sent ONLY with all copyright notifications intact.

Clergy Mailing List Index | Mailing List Index | PastorNET Home Page | John Mark Ministries Home Page