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Worshippers sang "Silent Night" and carried candles as they marched from Christmas Lutheran Church to the International Center of Bethlehem along the city's ancient cobblestone streets.
Preaching at the Christmas Eve service was Dr. Uwe Gräbe, propst of the the German-speaking congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Jerusalem. (Download his sermon here.) Also presiding at the service were Bishop Munib Younan, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb and Rev. Mark Holman.
Click here to download ELCJHL Bishop Munib Younan's Christmas message in English German Spanish
This Advent, Palestinian Christian leaders gathered in Bethlehem to launch "A Moment of Truth:
A Word of Faith, Hope and Love from the Heart of Palestinian Suffering." The so-called Palestinian
Kairos document is a statement of reality and hope from a broad coalition of Christian leaders in
Palestine. ELCJHL Bishop Munib Younan and the 12 other Patriarchs and Heads of Local Christian Churches
in Jerusalem wrote a letter in support of the effort.
Among those attending the Dec. 11 launch was Rabbi Brian Walt (pictured), of Jewish Fast for Gaza, a panelist at the Kairos document launch.
"The most challenging spiritual and moral question for the Jewish community today is the occupation of Palestine by Israel," he said.
You can read the Kairos document, add your name as a supporter and read more about it at the website at www.kairospalestine.ps.
Don't miss Archbishop Desmond Tutu's message to the gathering, which is found on the left side of the page.
You can read the response of Rev. Mark Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, at tiny.cc/kairosELCA.
The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land, comprised of leaders of Jerusalem's Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities, has released a statement calling for respect for the holy sites of all three religions.
The Nov. 13 statement came in response to recent clashes on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The statement reads:
"The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land regrets that the holy sites in Jerusalem continue to be exploited for conflict in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. The Council reaffirms its commitment to advancing respect between religious communities in Jerusalem, the protection of each community’s holy sites and their sensitivities.
"Accordingly, in the wake of recent violent events, we express our support for all calls such as that of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Muhammed Hussein, advocating non-violence and respect for the special and current status of the Al Aqsa Mosque, and the official repeated position of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel that it is prohibited by Jewish law (the Halacha) [for Jews] to enter the area.
"Together we call for the respect for the holy sites of all three religions and for peace of Jerusalem."
Clashes broke out in late September when extremist Jews entered the area with Israeli soldiers, according to a Ma'an News Agency report available here.
This followed reports by the Islamic Christian Society in Support of Jerusalem that said that Israel plans to allow Jewish worshippers exclusive access to the compound to worship on 50 Jewish holidays.
ELCJHL Pastor Ibrahim Azar brought greetings from the ELCJHL to the Evangelical Church of Westphalia,
in Bielefeld, Germany, in his address at its annual general assembly on Nov. 12. A delegation of the
EKvW was in Palestine in October as the two churches renew their long-term partnership. (Photo:
Evangelische Kirche von Westfalen/Andrea Rose)