Video

A very merry Christmas from all of us here at The Media Line, and welcome to Bethlehem. Merry Christmas Now, probably, your first thoughts are of the Church of the Nativity, where it all began. However, we decided to visit a local church, in this case, the First Baptist Church of Bethlehem. There aren’t that many people at the service today. We’re told it’s because they’ve traveled to be with family during this holiday period in other towns. However, we did catch up with them a couple of days ago at their annual Christmas party. Pastor Na’im Khoury First Baptist Church, Bethlehem: The wise men came all the way from Persia, from Iran today, not just to see him, but also they came to worship and bow to him, Hallelujah. Why? He is the everlasting life. He is the great coming king. Hallelujah. David Harris: A happy scene indeed. But for the Christian community of Bethlehem the picture can be very different. Pastor Steven Khoury First Baptist Church, Bethlehem: The Christian Palestinian people are always focused out. They’re always being pressured and targeted. I know many stories and I’ve personally been through many situations. David Harris: The Christian community of Bethlehem is security conscious, but it’s not just here in the Palestinian areas where that has become an issue. Only weeks ago, in Gaza, the manager of a Christian bookshop was murdered because of his belief. Pastor Hana Mas’ad, Gaza Baptist Church: We’re here after the murder of Rami Ayyad who was a member of the Gaza Baptist Church. It became very dangerous in Gaza for the Christians so we’re here for a while until, hopefully, the situation will get better. David Harris: How many Christians are in Gaza today? Mas’ad: About 1,500-2,000 people living in Gaza. We had many more before but many Christians immigrated because of the political situation, because of the pressure and the culture we’re living in and the dangers the Christians face from some militants. David Harris: Fifteen or 20 years ago Christians comprised about 80% of Bethlehem’s population. Today, some put that figure as low as 15%. With that in mind, Christian volunteer workers are coming into this town to try to revitalize the religion. Joanna Watson Father’s House, Bethlehem: Not many are here and we’ve heard the call, so to speak, and we feel it’s time to come. We’ve even included hostels in our office with the Father’s House so we can encourage others to come. We pray and we ask the lord to bring them in and they’ve been praying for us to come. Christians need to come back. David Harris: Of course, Christmas is all about worship and celebration, so let’s join the members of the First Baptist Church of Bethlehem and their guests from Indonesia as they celebrate this Christmas. (Singing) David Harris: Amid all the joy the Christians are remembering the murdered Gazan bookstore manager Rami Ayyad. As a tribute to him they say their struggle will go on, despite all the threats. Mas’ad: There’s a price we sometimes have to pay as followers of Christ. God has been teaching us to be ready and willing to pay the ultimate price even if it will cost us our lives as followers of Christ.