Welcome to #ccdaAdvent.
In the midst of darkness, oppression, and marginalization, Christ entered the scene of the first Advent and paved the way for our communal wellbeing. This Advent season, we invite you to consider the implications of Christ’s coming for our communities. What lessons may we draw from their context?
We are excited to partner with Red Letter Christians and share with you their devotional, “Reflections From Bethlehem: An Advent Devotional.” This devotional centers the voices of Palestinian Christian pastors, leaders, and theologians, as well as international allies, offering reflections, art, and ways to take action.
We pray that the reflections and prayers within these Advent devotionals bring renewed inspiration, anticipation, and hope in the Kingdom of God that has come and is to come. Amen.
Devotional by: Jamal Shehade
The angel’s words to the frightened shepherds—“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people”—speak not only to shepherds, but to all of us today, especially as we experience the current tension in Israel and Palestine. In these words, we find a great message of hope during fear, conflict, and uncertainty.
The shepherds the angel visited lived in an occupied land, with fear and uncertainty. The angel’s message pierced through that fear, announcing that a Savior had been born, not just for a few, but for all people.
This message of universal hope was not limited to the shepherds of Bethlehem; it echoed through the ages, offering us a profound reminder that even in times of deep division and suffering, hope remains at the core of the Christian faith.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11 (NRSVUE)
The angel’s command, “Do not be afraid,” resonates powerfully in this context. Fear often drives division, perpetuates violence, and blinds us to the humanity of the other. In the Holy Land, fear has led to walls both physical and emotional—walls that separate people. Yet the angel’s proclamation offers something else: good news of great joy. This joy is not a superficial emotion that ignores pain, but an entrenched assurance that God is at work, even in the darkest places.
The birth of Christ just where today’s conflict unfolds, reminds us that God’s love is born into the most unexpected and humble circumstances. It is not through political might or military power that salvation comes, but through a child born in a manger. This humble birth challenges us to see hope not in the grand gestures of the world but in the quiet, steadfast promise that God is with us. The name “Immanuel” is a testament that even in the deepest suffering, God has not abandoned us.
Today, the situation in Israel and Palestine reflects a deepening of division, fear, and sorrow. The region, long a symbol of holy promise, has seen decades of violence and loss, with lives shattered and communities broken. The results of conflict can make hope feel distant, even elusive. But Advent calls us to remember that Christ entered a world full of division and suffering. The announcement of His birth is a declaration that hope is not a luxury but a necessity, especially in times of crisis.
For Christians, hope is not passive. It is active, daring us to believe that peace is possible and that God’s kingdom is breaking into the world, even when we cannot see it.
In the Israel-Palestine conflict, hope does not mean ignoring injustice, but believing that reconciliation and peace, though difficult, are achievable. It means standing against violence and oppression, trusting that the Prince of Peace, born in Bethlehem, will one day bring healing to this fractured land.
In this Advent season, as we reflect on the angel’s words, let us hold tightly to the hope that Christ’s birth brings. Let us pray for peace in the land where He was born and for all who live there today. And let us live out that hope, embodying Christ’s love and peace in a world that so desperately needs it. For, as the angel declared, this good news of great joy is indeed for all people.
Lord,
As we prepare our hearts in this sacred season, we ask to become a place of welcome, a Grotto, for Your light. May Your birth dispel the darkness over our land and bring courage as the angel brought it to the shepherds, proclaiming, “Do not be afraid.”
Let us be like Your angel, bringing hope to those in despair, reminding them that You stand with the suffering and guide them to salvation.
May Your peace touch all, especially where conflict endures, as we await the day of Your promised peace.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen
About Jamal Shehade
Jamal is the Director of the House of Grace Foundation in Haifa, a charitable association dedicated to rehabilitating prisoners, supporting low-income families, and empowering children and youth at risk. He is Chief Scout of the First Greek Melkite Catholic Scout Group—Haifa, and has been serving as the Honorary Consul of Switzerland in the Haifa region since January 2023. Jamal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Haifa University, and is married with two children.
Reflections from Bethlehem
A partnership with Red Letter Christians
Staying true to the foundation of combining Jesus and justice, Red Letter Christians mobilizes individuals into a movement of believers who live out Jesus’ counter-cultural teachings.
Learn more at redletterchristians.org or follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Threads @redletterxians.
Click here to download the full 24-day devotional for free.
