Annual Christmas Celebration Held By Bethlehem Bible College and the Shepherd Society
Bethlehem Bible College and the Shepherd Society held their annual Christmas celebration in Bethlehem on December 19, 2014. Participating in the event were hundreds of people from the Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem. Pastors of different denominations and many guests from Bethlehem and Israel supported the event.
Master of Ceremonies, Mrs. Madeleine Sara, welcomed the attendees on behalf of the college and the society, while Rev. Dr. Munir Kakish, head of the Council of Local Evangelical Churches, started the celebration with a prayer requesting the Lord’s blessing on the gathering.
The celebration got underway with an enthusiastic performance by the Redeemer Praise Choir of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Jerusalem who shared favorite Christmas songs with the audience. Following, Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, President of Bethlehem Bible College, welcomed the attendees and shared encouraging words.
The evening also included a performance by the Shepherd’s Band from Beit Sahour who continued to bless the audience with spirited and worshipful Christmas renditions. Then, Beatrice Bassous, a student at Bethlehem Bible College, performed a duet with Brother Daniel Aqleh, as he accompanied on the keyboard.
Rev. Nihad Salman, pastor of Emmanuel Evangelical Church, read the Christmas story from the Bible. Afterward, Brother George Abdo again welcomed everyone on behalf of the Shepherd Society and then talked about the society’s ministry inside and outside of Palestine, and among the Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Jordan. Student Amira Farhood, then shared about a recent mission trip among Syrian refugees. Afterward, Rev. Alex Awad, the director of the Shepherd Society, presented a wonderful Christmas message highlighting God’s desire to dwell among us today.
In conclusion, Dr. Bishara Awad, President Emeritus and founder of the college, prayed for the Lord to bless the food which everyone appreciated and enjoyed. The Christmas celebration concluded with additional praise and worship songs presented by the Redeemer Praise Choir, with a great participation by all attendees.
