Reverend’s Powerful Sermon: Unveiling ‘Christ in the Rubble’

Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, a Palestinian Christian theologian, delivered his Christmas sermon at the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. Standing beside the nativity manger where baby Jesus lay, Isaac proclaimed that if Jesus were born today, it would be amid the rubble in Gaza. He criticized the commercialization of Christmas, emphasizing that the true message is that Jesus was born among the occupied and marginalized, in solidarity with their pain and brokenness.

Isaac also accused the Western world of complicity in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, which he described as a genocide. He argued that silence and empty calls for peace without action are forms of complicity, and that the genocide must stop immediately.

Experts have offered different opinions on whether Israel’s actions meet the UN’s definition of genocide. Complaints have been filed in the International Criminal Court alleging genocide conducted by both Hamas and Israel.

The Israeli mission to the UN in Geneva has called genocide accusations “deplorable and deeply concerning” and pointed out the actions of Hamas that led to the current war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to criticism of Palestinian civilian deaths by stating that the responsibility lies with Hamas and that Israel does everything possible to avoid harming civilians.

Isaac expressed anger and mourning over the situation in Gaza, stating that it should have been a time of joy. He acknowledged the support of global Christian leaders who came to mourn in solidarity but called out the broader Western world for its silence. He criticized the “theology of Empire” from the Western church and accused the Western world of hypocrisy and racism.

Isaac concluded his sermon by highlighting the resilience symbolized by the “Christ in the rubble” manger, citing Jesus’ ability to rise from pain, destruction, darkness, and death to challenge empires and deliver victory over darkness.

Overall, Isaac’s sermon emphasized the need for action and solidarity in the face of the ongoing crisis in Gaza and called for an end to the violence and suffering.