December 20, 2001

Bethlehem Question, PCR Activities

I reread the Christmas story, and I'm puzzled by something. Can someone answer this question for me? Matthew 2:6 makes a reference to Micah 5. Micah 5 includes a promise of ruler from Bethlehem. Here's the question: Are the Jews anticipating a ruler from Bethlehem? A Palestinian? There are certainly no Jews in Bethlehem. If the leader is a local from Bethlehem, the person has got to be Palestinian.

I'm pretty sure the Jews are not in favor of a Palestinian Messiah. So does this mean that at least one Jewish family will be moving into our neighborhood? This might anger some people, but it shouldn't. We should welcome this couple! I'm sure they will be nice. The parents of the Messiah must be really great people. And we should encourage them to (please) have a kid as soon as possible. Because then he would grow and mature and tell the people to love each other. He will probably also tell us things like "seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, and plead for the widows." And maybe people would listen!

It's been busy at PCR this week -- international activists activities, international clergy visit, the Christmas party, preparation for the traditional Christmas candle procession, banner-making, plus the normal busy routine of the place -- meetings and classes.

We publicize peace actions planned for the international activists. We're getting better at it. We have a beeper list, a fax list, a phone list, a mobile SMS list, an email list, and websites to update. We try to make certain that the media knows all about the peace actions. We sent out information as the actions proceed. Sometimes hourly. Sometimes daily. It depends on the situation. The media coverage has been pretty good, I believe. The events have been covered on a lot of TV stations. Mainly in the Middle East -- Al Jazeera, Dubai TV -- and lots of newspapers too. I've been asked to take photos at certain events for a paper in the UK. Today our group was removing an Israeli roadblock. (Someday I will write an article on what these roadblocks are and what they mean. For now, just let me say that they are terribly wrong.) The activists were detained by Israeli security in a town called Hares. One young woman was arrested and dragged away by her hair, so it was a pretty busy day for us back at PCR (not to mention the group of peace activists actually doing the real work!)

Yesterday we had a group of 30 international clergy stop by for a talk on the need for justice for Palestinians. This delegation was an interdenominational group from Europe and Asia. I think they were big supporters of Palestine. They seemed quite excited to be meeting PCR founder, noted author, and peace activist, Ghassan Andoni. After they left our center, they met families and had coffee in Beit Sahour.

I have to admit that it's looking a little more like Christmas here. I've seen a few more lights up and maybe a Santa or two. But it's nothing like I thought it would be. I thought this little town of Bethlehem would be lit up like Disneyland. I thought it would be like a big amusement park. Donkey rides from Shepherd's Field! Fake angels flying over Beit Sahour! Put your baby in Jesus' manger! Lead camels like the wise men! Get your gold, frankincense, and myrrh here! Photo op outside Nativity Church! Buy your traditional Joseph and Mary bathrobes! Instead it's nothing like that. It's very subdued, and hardly anyone mentions any celebration. I wonder if it's because all the Palestinian people are suffering so much this year...