December 21, 2001

Bethlehem Bible College Christmas Show

Wow. What a show. This evening I ate at the largest meal I think I have ever had the pleasure of attending. I can't recall ever sitting down to dine with 2,000 other people. The Bethlehem Bible College had a Christmas program for the people of Bethlehem, and they came out in droves. The people of Bethlehem were happy tonight! It was tough to find a seat in the the Bethlehem Hotel. Many people were standing. We were treated to a variety of musical performers, a short play, a sermon, and a good meal. I guess it was sort of like our regular church Christmas service but on a larger scale.

A few of my students from Beit Sahour sang in the first choir of the evening. They sang beautifully. They were followed by other musicians and choirs who sang many Palestinian songs. Some had familiar Christmas tunes, like "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem", and I think I remember "Jingle Bells".

I believe the play has something to do with the Intifada, but I'm not sure. One young girl had a baby, and I believe her husband must have been killed in the war. She cried a lot. And she eventually got a phone call from her husband, but I don't know what he said.

The speaker was a minister from Jordan. Someone told me that he spoke about Christianity and Islam and truth.

And we finished the evening we had started four hours earlier with food. Traditional salads, grilled chicken, rice, mixed vegetables, and fruit. Delicious. And Humduhlala.