September 2006

The Voice of Christ in the Birthplace of Christ

The voice of the silenced is rising in chorus. The bells of hope are chiming to hymns of joy. The children of war are laughing and making melodies of happiness. The gunshots and bombs of night fade into the light of hope at the Christmas Church of Bethlehem. In the past few months, amidst the nightmare of war, rising unemployment and crime, church members have turned to music for healing and proclamation.

Bethlehem Star, a community choir of about 30 members, meets weekly to sing of peace despite being surrounded by rabid militarism. Five children in the youth choir often ask to sing Christmas hymns in addition to their anthems. An eclectic band jams away the evening to congas, oud (an Oriental stringed instrument), flute, piano and vocals. The handbell quartet and century-old tower bells of the church ring in a new week at the start of worship.

The tides of war, oppression, civil strife, poverty, and hatred are powerless to the glimmer in a child’s eye or the forgiveness in an aged man’s heart. There we uncover a treasure of dreams not darkened by the shadows of life. There we find life. In Bethlehem, if you but listen you still hear the echo of God’s quiet voice.

Matt Middleton
Mission Volunteer International
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Bethlehem, Palestine