> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.reyes-chow.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# no christmas in bethlehem: a litany
- URL: https://www.reyes-chow.com/no-christmas-in-bethlehem-a-litany/
- Published: 2023-12-18T22:53:22.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-02T20:17:26.000Z
- Description: how can we celebrate christmas, when there is no christmas in bethelehem?
- Author: Bruce Reyes-Chow
- Tags: worship, palestine, jesus, video, liturgy

**no christmas in bethlehem: a litany**

o little town of bethlehem,  
bombs fly overhead and your buildings lie in ruin  
people flee for safety  
neighbor turns on neighbor  
and governments debate your worth  
*\[inhale/exhale\]*  
how can we celebrate christmas  
**when there is no christmas in bethlehem?**

o bethlehem, we want to tell it from the mountain  
yet people are taking cover  
not knowing what tomorrow may hold  
*hoping* there is a tomorrow to be had at all  
*\[inhale/exhale\]*  
o church, how can we celebrate christmas  
**when there is no christmas in bethlehem?**

o bethlehem, we are desperate to see *peace* on earth  
but we only see bodies, spirits, and minds  
suffering from the violence of war  
*\[inhale/exhale\]*  
o church, how can we celebrate christmas  
**when there is no christmas in bethlehem?**

o bethlehem, we yearn to proclaim *joy* to the world.  
but when so many are overcome by sorrow, heartache, grief, and loss  
from the deaths of parents, children, friends, and neighbors  
*\[inhale/exhale\]*  
o church, how can we celebrate christmas  
**when there is no christmas in bethlehem?**

o bethlehem, we anticipate the birth of our savior with a silent night, a holy nightbut when the silence that blankets far too many  
is the silence of a world that watches suffering from afar and does not act  
*\[inhale/exhale\]*  
o church, how can we celebrate christmas  
**when there is no christmas in Bethlehem?**

and yet, o people, somehow we still hear  
the angels sweetly singing —  
in being present to the suffering of others  
**hope overcomes despair**  
in defying systems of violence  
**peace overwhelms war**  
in living into our collective humanity  
**joy is free to all**  
and in breaking through hearts of hate  
**love has the final word**  
  
may we all soon believe and know  
**that jesus christ is born** 
**AMEN**

---

##### ***NOTE***

##### This litany was written by Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow for the [Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity](https://www.im4humanintegrity.org/?ref=reyes-chow.com) and was inspired by the photo from the [Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church's Nativity scene in Bethlehem and the cancellation of Christmas celebrations in the West Bank](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/7/if-christ-were-born-today-he-would-be-born-under-rubble-israeli-bombing?ref=reyes-chow.com).  
  
Please feel free to use this litany with attribution to Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow (ig/[@breyeschow](https://www.instagram.com/breyeschow/?ref=reyes-chow.com) and the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (ig/[@im4humanintegrity](https://www.instagram.com/im4humanintegrity/?ref=reyes-chow.com))  
  
See *the* [*Instagram post*](https://www.instagram.com/p/C1Avl7nPPO0/?ref=reyes-chow.com) for social reposting.  
See [*bulletin insert*](https://drive.google.com/file/d/11LFMYDIMZuPz9vxkfOTXsUzOurZCxyUz/view?usp=sharing&ref=reyes-chow.com) for use in worship.

The Amalgamation is made possible through your financial and viewing support. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.