'Christ in the Rubble': Palestinian Pastor Delivers Powerful Christmas Sermon from Bethlehem

In the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, city and church leaders canceled all Christmas festivities this year to mourn the more than 20,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza. We feature the Christmas sermon, "Christ in the Rubble: A Liturgy of Lament," delivered Saturday by Reverend Munther Isaac at the landmark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, which has received international attention for a nativity scene depicting the figure of baby Jesus in a keffiyeh, surrounded by rubble. "If Jesus were to be born today, he would be born under the rubble in Gaza," preached Isaac, who condemned using theology to justify Israel's killing of innocent civilians. "If we, as Christians, are not outraged by the genocide, by the weaponization of the Bible to justify it, there is something wrong with our Christian witness, and we are compromising the credibility of our gospel message."

[grzegorzgreg]

It was my first sermon for over twenty years! I've listened to every word!!!!😥
"Stop the genocide now"!!!!🇵🇱✌🇵🇸

[alexandreas]

I am not Christian and this is my first time ever in my life to hear speech or sermon from Pastor. His powerful message really makes me in tears. May God bless you and Palestinians 🙏

[gurvindersingh]

As indian sikh and respect for this man who has guts tell the truth to so called democracy state. ❤❤❤

[alexmathewson]

This is going to go down in history as one of the greatest Christmas messages ever- and the shame will be devastating

[juanreza]

Munther Isaac's "I Have a Dream" moment. We will be replaying for years to come for a free, just Palestine State. Free and Return the whole of Palestine!

[RicardoAlfredo]

This is got to be the most powerful speech I ve ever heard!!! Thanks 🙏 God is watching you!!!
Cubans for Palestinians!!!

[dabay]

The best sermon I have ever heard from any religious leader, and this is directly from the Holy Land

[veronicachikosi]

What a powerful message. Truly Bible based and Christ centered. Jesus was and is with the broken hearted, with the marginalized and the oppressed. This is the message needed by the world right now. A clear message for the governments supporting this genocide. Thank you Pastor Isaacs. ❤🙏

[alexoperacz]

WOW!! THIS MAN IS PREACHING THE TRUTH! AMEN BROTHER!!!!

[publicpm]

As a muslim we love honest people like this Pastor, we have nothing but utmost respect for these kind of humans regardless of their race or religion. May Almighty bring peace and prosparity to the people of Palestine, Ameen

[DorkThink]

Pastor, I was confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church probably longer ago than you are alive, but you captured the heart and soul of everything I was taught to be in this life: caring of others before ourselves, service, gratitude and finding the Spirit of Christ in all humans of this Earth.
Thank you, more than words can express, for this sermon.
It showed me that my work for Palestine in this little life of mine has been worth every heart ache and loss.
Thank you again, and may God bless you for being who you are.
🕯️

[ernstthalmann]

I'm an American Jew and support everything the father said here. Very powerful. Peace to Palestine 🇵🇸

[This_gonna_be_good_I_know_it]

This man has my deepest, deepest respect. I have nothing but admiration for him and am in tears.

- a fellow human being

[mariavila]

Thank you Reverend. Thank you democracy now. Words fail me in expressing my gratitude for hearing these words. Thank god they didn't fail you, Reverend.

[RicardoAlfredo]

I’d like that part of the speech that said to European : I don’t want to hear you talking about “human rights and international law
again”
Well said !!! 🇵🇸🇨🇺🇵🇸🇨🇺🇵🇸🇨🇺🇵🇸🇨🇺🇵🇸🇨🇺🇵🇸

[Christian-ipvz]

Raised as a Roman Catholic and now an agnostic, this hit me hard. Beautiful and tragic all at the same time.

[timerev]

I'm not Christian, but I'm with Jesus and I'm standing with Palestine. Thank you pastor Isaac

[manubande]

Much respect for this Palestinian Pastor !

[pagan]

He described the United States without mentioning the name. WOW!

[ronniesal]

I joined the Palestinian cause because I know how it feels to be wronged and demonized at the same time. Greater Injustice is to be called the oppressor by the real oppressor and to be the human eyes to the eyes of other humans. This pastor had all the words I could never articulate on my own. I loved his speech!