(As the Israel-Hamas war continues and the town of Bethlehem has “cancelled” Christmas celebrations this year, a poem that I wrote several years ago after visiting there and seeing the Wall of Separation between Israel and the West Bank seems more relevant than ever. I offer it as this year’s Advent poem, even as we continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all those who live in the Land Between.)

Behind a wall of fear and shame

Near Rachel’s Tomb, it’s still the same

The “House of Bread” may be its’ name

But Beth Lehem is broken.

Among the clans of Israel

Too small to fight, and so it fell

To all who didn’t wish it well

Small Beth Lehem was broken.

And yet despite its size ‘twas here

Where love eternal did appear

When Heaven to Earth drew strangely near

And Word of God was spoken.

Not in a house, nor in an inn

But in a stable’s curious den

The pow’r of God came crashing in

As Word of God was spoken.

With only shepherds there to see

The dawning of that mystery,

Our hope for all eternity

Beyond all type and token.

And so despite what man may do,

Our barriers, both old and new,

We cannot stop what’s ever true

His Word cannot be broken.

For just as when King Herod ruled,

His jealous rages left unschooled,

The God Above cannot be fooled

His Promise has been spoken.

For peace will come again one day

And walls will fall when men will say

The child born here is still the way

To Bethlehem unbroken.