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Christmas: Healing for Humanity and Restoration of its Dignity (By Bahjat Khader)
December 19, 2023![](https://bethbc.edu/acblog/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/1-bible_PNG2-scaled.png)
Do not be Afraid! (By John S. Munayer & Samuel S. Munayer)
December 19, 2023When Justice Will Prevail over Aggression?
Mikhail Rishmawi
When the smile disappears from the faces of children, when injustice and aggression prevail, when the mind of oppression and persecution dominates the mind of maturity and faith; then there is no security or stability. Any human being aspires to live in serenity, security, and peace, in a country that provides him with a life of relief and safety, where he can breathe the fragrance of flowers, listen to the twittering of birds, sleep on the ground under the beautiful trees in peace, and watch the twinkling of stars at night filled with joy and serenity. Similarly, every human being aspires to watch the children, “who have lost their smile,” playing, and having fun. Is there anything more beautiful than the poet’s words:
Oh boy, it is good for kids to enjoy their childhood.
As if they were the smiles for life. The breath of its sweet basil.
These boys who have fun are the adornment of worldly life, and the most beloved thing to their souls is play and fun. Do they know anything other than that, as long as they are relaxed and not disturbed?
But no way, no way.. where is this life? Where is the security and peace? Where are these children after the disappearance of their smiles? Where are the signs of life? Why don’t they have fun and play? How did peace disappear from Palestine? How do souls become lost? Joy disappears on earth and in heaven. Is this Palestine, the cradle of many religions? Is this Palestine, which embraced all civilizations.. where this destruction is occurring? Questions that bleed my heart and burn my soul as I see the ramping destruction of man.
Despite that, I say: O Palestine, my dear inspiration, the homeland of Christ who called for peace, we lived in this place for decades and decades, and you still embrace us with love and tenderness. O Palestine do not despair, O Gaza, joy, and happiness will return to the souls of your children. The sun of freedom and justice will shine. I see a sparkle of hope shining in your sky, and its beautiful radiance is spreading over the mountains and trees. I see the angels of the Most Merciful, flapping their wings in celebration of the victory of hope. With faith and determination, justice will prevail over aggression.