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"CHRIST IS STILL IN THE RUBBLE"
On December 20, 2024, Reverend
Munther Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem,
delivered a poignant Christmas sermon addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis
in Gaza. Reverend Munther Isaac's speech offered a powerful indictment of global
silence and complicity in the face of Palestinian suffering. He criticized the
failure to acknowledge the ongoing destruction in Gaza as genocide, framing it
as a moral failure of the international community and the Western church.
Reverend Isaac highlighted the hypocrisy of those who champion human rights and
international law while refusing to apply these principles to Palestinians,
suggesting that such denial stems from a reluctance to confront complicity and
guilt. "Never again" has become "yet again" — yet again to supremacy,
yet again to racism, and yet again to genocide. And sadly, "never again" has
become yet again for the weaponization of the Bible and the silence and
complicity of the Western church, yet again for the church siding with power,
the church siding with the empire."
He drew parallels between the nativity story and the
plight of displaced Palestinians, portraying Christ as residing "in the rubble"
alongside the oppressed and marginalized. Isaac emphasized that the Christmas
story is one of hope amidst despair, with Jesus, born into vulnerability,
symbolizing resilience and justice. Reflecting on 76 years of Palestinian
resistance and survival, he celebrated the enduring hope of a people who
continue to pray and sing for peace despite decades of hardship, echoing the
angelic proclamation, "Glory to God in the highest, peace on Earth."
This sermon mirrors his 2023 Christmas message, where
he also condemned the global silence and complicity regarding the suffering in
Gaza. In that address, he highlighted the parallels between the nativity story
and the plight of Palestinians, noting that if Jesus were born today,
"he would be born under the rubble in Gaza." Reverend Isaac's
consistent advocacy illustrates his firm commitment to justice and peace in the
region.
Videos:
"Christ is still in the Rubble." Munther Isaac Christmas Message December 20, 2024 (Munther Isaac YouTube, 12-20-24)
“Christ Is Still in the Rubble”: Bethlehem Rev. Isaac Calls on U.S. to Stop Funding Gaza Genocide (Interview) (Democracy Now! YouTube, 12-23-24)
Christmas Message From Bethlehem To The World Never Again or Yet Again? (DawnNews English YouTube, 12-24-24)
Transcripts:
Rev Munther Isaac: Christ is still in the Rubble (Independent Catholic News, 12-21-24)
“Christ Is Still in the Rubble”: Bethlehem Rev. Isaac Calls on U.S. to Stop Funding Gaza Genocide (Interview) (Democracy Now!, 12-23-24)
"CHRIST IN THE RUBBLE"
In the occupied West Bank, a church in Bethlehem has changed this year's nativity scene, placing baby Jesus in the rubble to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. Stating that if Jesus were born again this year, the child would be among the debris with the people there. "While Christmas celebrations are canceled, Christmas prayers are not," said Lutheran Pastor Munther Isaac.
In a Sermon on December 23, 2023, Isaac speaks on the green-lighting of genocide against a captive population, racism, and how Israel is twisting religion to justify its actions—a sermon filled with many valid criticisms and condemnations of actions taken by the world at large. "Gaza as We know it no longer exists. This is an annihilation. This is a genocide," said Isaac.
Nativity scene places baby Jesus in rubble (Al Jazeera, 12-5-23)
Nativity scene places baby Jesus in rubble (YouTube: Al Jazeera English 12-5-23)
Christ in the Rubble: A Liturgy of Lament [Transcript] (Red Letter Christians, 12-23-23)
‘Christ in Rubble’ Sermon a Wake-Up Call (Consortium News, 12-28-23)
Christ under the Rubble. Lutheran Christmas Church Bethlehem (YouTube: Hastings & District Palestine Solidarity Campaign, 12-24-23)
REVERAND MUNTHER ISAAC LINKS
Christ at the Checkpoint: Munther's Blog