– Yusra Firdaus
New Delhi, Dec. 27: In a poignant interview, Rev. Munther Issac, the Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, reveals the gravity of the situation in Palestine. Bethlehem, the revered birthplace of Jesus Christ, has solemnly decided to cancel Christmas celebrations this year, bringing attention to the ongoing Israeli occupation and the devastating consequences it inflicts on the Palestinian people.
Rev. Munther Issac, a Palestinian Christian theologian and Lutheran Pastor, delivers a powerful message to the world, shedding light on the silent genocide in Gaza and the dehumanization faced by the Palestinian people. He underscores the magnitude of the horrific killings, with 21,000 Palestinians reported dead in Gaza. His message exposes the struggles of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, as the world watches and Gazans capture the atrocities on film.
The international spotlight on the Christmas Church in Bethlehem is noteworthy, creatively depicting Baby Jesus surrounded by rubble and destruction – a symbolic representation of the harsh reality endured by the Palestinian community. Rev. Munther Issac challenges the world’s silence and questions the ethical dilemma of teaching the Gospel of Love and Justice while ignoring or justifying the plight of Palestinians.
Also Read: This is annihilation, genocide: Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac
The interview delves into Rev. Munther Issac’s recent visit to the United States, where he engaged with Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C., and the White House. Despite efforts to convey the dire situation in Palestine and the human toll of the conflict, the Pastor expresses disappointment and frustration with the perceived indifference and the continuation of the war.
Emphasizing the significance of Palestine for the Christian faith, Rev. Munther Issac asserts that it is where Christianity originated, holding the oldest Christian traditions in the world. He warns against reducing Palestine to a mere museum for Western pilgrims and urges recognition of the continuous presence of the Church in Palestine for over 2,000 years.
The depicted negativity occurred during this month in Palestine, with rubble and bricks resembling a destroyed and bombed house. The top of it is surrounded by bricks. There was baby Jesus. The main characters, the shepherds, are drawn outside the rubble, looking for Jesus and sending the message that Jesus is under the rubble. This is exactly how Christmas looked in Palestine today. It was a shock to many people around the world watching through social media, but this is the suffering of many Palestinians.
In the face of despair, Rev. Munther Issac’s interview serves as a compelling call for justice, empathy, and international awareness. As the world celebrates Christmas, the story of a cancelled celebration in Bethlehem calls for reflection on the true meaning of the season and the shared responsibility to address the ongoing human rights crisis in Palestine.
