Children, and the OneVoice Palestine flag, on their journey to Bethlehem for peace.
*By Antwan Saca
As a Christian born in a Catholic family, and as a follower of Jesus’ teachings, my faith, along with my Palestinian nationality–has always driven me and many others like me–to pursue the cause of peace.
“Blessed are the peace makers,” said St. Matthew, and here in the Holy Land that message rings true every day. For me this is what Christianity is all about: bringing peace and forgiveness to those in conflict. This is one of the reasons that I joined OneVoice, a movement which allows me practice my faith in peace, work toward an end of the occupation, and provide peace for the region’s people regardless of their faith or nationality.
This year OneVoice Palestine (OVP) partnered with the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) to work on “Journey to Bethlehem for Peace,” an annual event in which over 1,000 children of different faiths, from all parts of the Holy Land and occupied Palestinian territories, gather and march on Bethlehem in the name of peace.
The Journey to Bethlehem for Peace tradition began in 2003, and has quickly become an integral and meaningful part of Bethlehem’s Christmas celebrations over the past seven years. The landmark event unites over 1,000 Christian and Muslim children from Zababdeh, Jenin, Nablus, Aboud, Aarik, Jaffa, Birzeit, Ramallah, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour. For many of the children, the event marks their first visit to Bethlehem, a town steeped in history and spiritual importance for both faiths. The centerpiece of the festivities is the children's walk to the Church of the Nativity, also attended by church representatives, members of various organizations and civil society, as well as prominent government leaders. Once the children arrive at the Church, each child releases a balloon. In total over a 1,000 balloons, each representing their individual hope for peace and freedom, an appeal to both Gods, and the watching world, are released.
Here in Bethlehem and by people all across Palestine, Jesus’ birth is not only celebrated as a traditional annual religious celebration, but is regarded as the annual rebirth of the very seeds of peace. Jesus is regarded as a messenger of peace to the whole world, and for that very reason this day keeps the door of hope open–no matter how dark things may seem–for a long lasting and genuine peace in the Holy Land.
One of the most important aspects of the Journey to Bethlehem for Peace, is its ability to bring local communities together to promote peace and understanding. It increases an appreciation of their common heritage and sense of belonging to Palestine as their home, their national identity, and as their Holy Land.
OneVoice is running a campaign called Imagine 2018, separately asking both Israelis and Palestinians to imagine what the year 2018 could look like, should peace be secured and an independent Palestinian state built. Before the start of the Journey to Bethlehem for Peace this year, two children shared how they envision 2018 those in attendance. One of the children, Maya Atwan, a Christian girl from Beit-Jala read her vision of Christmas 2018 to the crowd:
“I imagine Bethlehem in 2018 open to the rest of the world, where we Palestinians will be welcoming fellow pilgrims to the holy sites-with no limitations on freedom or movement-in a Bethlehem that is free from segregation walls and checkpoints that cut us from our holy sites in Jerusalem.”
Children sharing messages of peace with the world at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
On December 4, OneVoice joined with HCEF once more for the Joint Christmas Message of Peace “simulcast”, linking the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem with the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, DC. The event was broadcast on the internet, allowing people around the world to watch, and was held under the auspices of the Most Reverend Bishop William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the Most Reverend Barry Knestout, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington. A host of Palestinian Authority governors and ministers also participated.
The speakers delivered a message of peace, emphasizing that Bethlehem lies at the very "heart of Christmas". For Christians everywhere, it is the place where the singular moment of salvation took place. For non-Christians, the message of Bethlehem has a timeless, "beyond borders" aspect. Its symbol of reconciliation and peace is universal and taps into the deepest hopes and dreams of all nations and peoples. The fact that such a destination for peace should exist within a region riddled with conflict should inspire everyone on their mission to end conflict and occupation. “This is the spirit of Bethlehem!” Explained Reverand Shomali to those in attendance and watching online.
Sitting in the Church of the Nativity, my thoughts wandered to Christmas in 2018, and the hope that I would be able to celebrate it as a citizen of an independent Palestinian state. At OneVoice, we are working toward that future every day by training young people to be genuine advocates for peace, and doing everything possible to build a Palestinian state so that we can live side by side with Israel and all of our neighbors in peace, security, and prosperity. “Inshallah”, I thought, God Willing.
*Antwan Saca is from Bethlehem, and has been an active member of the OneVoice Movement in Palestine for the last three years. He is the OneVoice Palestine Imagine 2018 project coordinator and is directing the newly launched campaign, which aims to help free Palestinians from despair and hopelessness by imagining how their independent state would look like seven years after the occupation ends and creating the motivation to built it.