Voting Resources
Today a Saviour is Born
Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 of each calendar year. It was over 2000 years ago that Almighty God sent His only begotten son Jesus to be sacrificed for our salvation. How often do we really think about the intense love God has shown his people?
It’s been several years since my husband and I travelled on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. As our memory fades, the current war has brought back recollections of our journey that we cherish dearly. It was an amazing and eye opening experience. Jesus lived in Galilee most of His life before He was crucified on Golgotha in Jerusalem. It can be overwhelming just thinking that we walked the same path as Christ once did.
Today because of the war between Israel and Hamas, the terrorist group, all pilgrimages have stopped. The world must know that slaughtering women and children and innocent civilians by terrorists is never and can never be accepted.
One site we visited was the Shepherds Field Chapel, also identified as the Gloria in Excelsis Deo Chapel, in Bethlehem. “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” is Latin for Glory to God in the highest.” The chapel is located in the West Bank within the country of Israel. The chapel was designed by Alberto Barluzzi, the famous Italian architect who planned several churches in the Holy Land. The acoustics in the chapel were intended to give the upmost effects of sound. I remember that we sang “Gloria” and, thinking back, it was such a memorable experience.
Luke 2:8-14 describes the three images in the chapel that I photographed.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The West Bank is 2,173 square miles in size with an estimated population of 2,747,943. There are over 670,000 Israeli settlers that live in the West Bank. According to the U.S. Department of State there are 50,000 Christian Palestinians living in the West Bank.
With Christmas just a few days away, we turn to Jesus Christ our hope and our refuge. Peace seems like such a strange word while witnessing all the pain and suffering in these times of war and conflict. But pray we must. Pray for Peace in the Holy Land, pray for the safe return of all hostages and pray for the innocent children that are caught in the midst of this horrific war. Reminding ourselves what is written in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Wishing you and your families a “Silent Night a Holy Night” because with Him all things are possible, even peace. Coveting that pilgrims once again visit the Holy Land to give Him homage. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:28
PRAY for World Peace
