
Heatherside Advent 2024
..that means Christmas is coming!
Heatherside Celebrates Advent 2024
Bethlehem
Sadly, because of the on-going war between Israel and Palestine, few tourists are able to visit Bethlehem today. When last I was there most visitors to the town were part of a large group travelling the short distance from Jerusalem - around six miles away.
They might - just- be aware of the division between the city and the Palestinian enclave around Bethlehem, but they will not be inconvenienced by it as the locals are. They will not be delayed. The population, though, describe life in the city now as 'hell on earth'.
The first stop is usually at the Shepherds Fields outside the town. The land is scrub land on the hillsides - bare and unwelcoming for those shepherds and their flock: the church which has been built there is simple, elegant and the murals on its walls illustrate the experience the shepherds had that December night.

At the Shepherds' Fields. This felt like a place of quiet reflection. Free from hoardes of tourists .


The chapel here is small, very light with its walls covered in paintings of the nativity.


This, I think, was the only place where I felt unsafe. We have walked the length of the Church of the Nativity and are being taken to the Place of the Nativity in the crypt.From the entrance to the top of the steps has taken 45minutes and our guide says it's often longer. This is a quiet day!
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The pilgrims (largely Eastern European) are keen to get to see the star which has been placed where the baby was born. How sad it was to see them moved on so quickly that there was no opportunity for reflection, for the 'How amazing!' moment - whether this is the spot where the Saviour was born or not, it is the place that is said to mark his birth and a pause to appreciate it would have been appropriate. Hardly a place of stillness!
But what of Bethlehem today?
The description of Bethlehem on the Welcome to Palestine website is a of a thriving city where tourists are welcome. But that is not the image we see on the news.
Bethlehem today is a city at war, where there are no longer Christmas celebrations, where only 10% of a much reduced population claim to be Christian. This story of a young couple deciding to stay and make their home there is unusual.
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Pray for the peoples of the Holy Lands
Lord Jesus, the occupation of the West Bank can seem a pretty hopeless situation; we see stalemate caused by the absence of a peace process, dysfunctional Palestinian politics, the strength of the Israeli army, the physical presence of the separation barrier. But you too lived in this place when it was under occupation and you inspired hope and taught the ways of justice and peace. May true peace be found in this Holy Land, with Israelis and Palestinians understanding each other’s needs. Jesus, you are the first and the last: help us to trust in you. Amen.
John Howard, mission partner, Israel/Palestine
For settled peoples in fear of expulsion, we pray.
For opinionated peoples in fear of truth, we pray.
For stubborn peoples in fear of change, we pray.
For Jews and Druze,
Shia and Sunni,
Copt and Orthodox,
Armenian and Kurd, and
for all who live in the Holy Lands of sacred scriptures,
we pray. Amen.
Bruce Thompson, Lincolnshire Methodist District Chair
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from Day 15 of the 2017/2018 Methodist Prayer Handbook, Jesus the First and Last