Sunday, December 24, 2017

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem
Imprisoned you now lie.
Above thy deep and silent grief,
Surveillance drones now fly.

And through thy old streets standeth,
A huge illegal Wall.
The hopes and dreams that peace will come
Are dashed in this year's Fall.

O morning star's together,
Look down upon this crime.
The people sing to God the King
But justice, who can find?

Yes, Christ was born of Mary,
God's love remains supreme.
But mortals sleep as children weep,
Their pain is never seen.

How silently, how silently,
The world and Church protests.
As checkpoints grow and towns confined,
As settlers steal and rest.

No ear may hear the outcry,
As Israel's Wall is built.
While meek souls muse, Apartheid rules -
We speak or share in guilt.

O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Give strength to us, we pray.
Cast out our fears and open eyes.
O give us voice today!

We stand against injustice,
The Occupation must end.
May justice rule our Lord's birthplace,
May now Christ's peace descend.

Stephen Leah, 2007

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