If Christ were born today, he would be born under rubble…

This poignant message has captured the world. Reverend Munther Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, has cancelled all Christmas celebrations except prayer and vigil, as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Gaza who face destruction and death in a time when we hope for the blessings of peace and joy.  “If Christ were to be born today,” Reverend Munther Isaac said, “he would be born under the rubble and Israeli shelling”.

Powerfully this message reflects the birth of Jesus who was born under the oppression of the Roman Empire. Palestine was an occupied country. Jesus came to bring hope, peace, justice and dignity and to free the oppressed. He also faced persecution and death from the religious and political authorities who saw him as a threat. For many Christians in Australia, especially those who belong to the Christian-Palestine community, the recent escalation of conflict has added a layer of pain and sorrow that many of us cannot truly understand. This conflict is not a new one. War has been present over many decades, with each party claiming their rights to the land and in the process causing thousands to be casualties of war, on all sides.  But always the innocent, women, children and men are caught in the crossfire. 

If Jesus were born today, he might indeed be born under the rubble and dust of war or in a makeshift refugee camp or among those held in detention. He would be among those crying out for peace and freedom and pleading for God’s intervention. Reverend Munther Isaac explains, that while the nativity scene represents the reality of Palestinian lives, it also reflects hope as the infant Jesus is born in the rubble, a new light amidst the pain and suffering. So not only is Jesus born from the rubble, but he is also born for the rubble. He is the God of surprises – working in unexpected ways to bring light out of darkness and joy from sorrow and he invites us into the mission of making the world a better place. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be Living Justice Living Peace. 

Advent ushers us into an encounter with God as being hope-filled people. Let us be that, for all people around the world who suffer persecution and horror. The coming of the Christ child at Christmas brings the promise that ‘justice shall march before him and peace shall follow his steps’ (Isaiah 40). And while peace presently seems unimaginable, especially for the people of Bethlehem, and the Ukraine, Reverend Munther Isaac’s words bring us faith when he says, “we believe in the existence of hope and the hope of the birth of Jesus in the city of peace, the holy city.” 

A very moving interview with Reverend Munther Isaac can be found here: ‘If Christ were born today, he would be born under rubble, Israeli bombing’ | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera.

A Prayer for Peace

As the fever of day calms towards twilight 

May all that is strained in us come to ease.

We pray for all who suffered violence today, May an unexpected serenity surprise them.

For those who risk their lives each day for peace

May their hearts glimpse providence at the heart of history. 

That those who make riches from violence and war 

Might hear in their dreams the cries of the lost.

That we might see through our fear of each other 

A new vision to heal our fatal attraction to aggression. 

That those who enjoy the privilege of peace Might not forget their tormented brothers and sisters.

That the wolf might lie down with the lamb,

That our swords be beaten into ploughshares

And no hurt or harm be done

Anywhere along the holy mountain.

~ John O'Donohue, from Benedictus

Erica Pegorer

Executive Director

Kildare Ministries