Brothers: Can anyone read Matthew 2:13 and fail to reflect on the modern day slaughter of the innocents occurring in Bethlehem? It is particularly sad that all children in the area whether Christian, Muslim, or Jewish suffer the emotional blasting of war. Charles + ---------------------------------------------- from ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE 23 DECEMBER 2002 Amos Trust wrote : Christmas 2002 The following is a composite of information and messages received from friends in Bethlehem, together with a suggested action for congregations and individuals. We invite you to use the messages as a meditation and then to encourage people to act. Many people will be singing the carol 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' at carol services across the world. Others will listen to services on the radio and will hear the familiar words referring to the 'O deep and dreamless sleep' of Bethlehem's inhabitants, watched over in wondering love by the angels as the birth of the Christ child takes place. The reality of Bethlehem today is more like the period after Christ's birth, when Herod ordered the massacre of the children. Bishara Awad, the President of Bethlehem Bible College writes: 'As all of you turn your attention to Bethlehem these days, please remember "Our Little Town" in your prayers. Bethlehem now is very sad. All it's people are struggling under very strict curfew since the 22nd of November. It may be hard to imagine being under curfew. It is very cruel, because no one is allowed to leave his or her home for any reason. All shops and schools are closed, as well as pharmacies and work places. There is no possibility for Christmas shopping, there are no decorations, and one cannot go to church. Being a closed military area, we are even denied the usual flood of Christian pilgrims. I pray that you will sing this beautiful song and that its meaning will bless your Christmas, but before you do please think of the suffering Church in Bethlehem and say a prayer that the curfew will be lifted and the siege on Bethlehem will end. You may want to also write to your nearest Israeli representative and your own government officials about these cruel acts done against the people of Bethlehem by the Israeli army. May Immanuel Bless You This Christmas.' ------------------------------------------------------------- As I pointed out yesterday, the Israeli government did allow Christians to celebrate Christmas at the Church of the nativity, but within a matter of hours re-imposed the curfew. Charles _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 3 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus&xAPID=42&PS=47575&PI=7324&DI=7474&SU= http://www.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg&HL=1216hotmailtaglines_virusprotection_3mf