O Holy Night inspires reflection on peace and freedom over Bethlehem

Against the backdrop of a setting sun and the twinkling lights of nearby towns – most notably Bethlehem, where the Christmas story first unfolded – members of the worship team at King of Kings Jerusalem prepared a humble set adorned with Christmas lights. They invited worshippers to a unique and intimate opportunity to sing and connect with Jesus as the Savior of the world, overlooking the very town of His birth.

After several traditional Christmas carols, the worship team led everyone in O Holy Night. This year, verse 3 of the song stood out to one of our ALL ISRAEL NEWS staff members:

"Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease"

Considering the war between Gaza and Israel over the past two years – and the fragile ceasefire that currently exists – these words take on profound significance. Looking out over Bethlehem, now separated from Israel by a barrier wall, the reminder that Jesus’ law is love and that His gospel is peace brought both reflection and sorrow.

What does it mean today to sing, “Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother… and in His name, all oppression shall cease?" For believers, it is painful to sing these words while witnessing the suffering and restraint of others. The suffering of one people group does not diminish the suffering of the other. Regardless of one’s stance on why the separation wall exists, the reality of division and the pain it represents should evoke sorrow in every believer.

And what will it take to reach the final lines of verse 3?

"Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim"

Will the Church hold space for both peoples – for all sons of Abraham? Will we ever sing “sweet hymns of joy” while carrying the pain of those experiencing oppression?

No matter where we are in processing these words of this powerful song, may we all be unified in this truth: “Christ is the Lord, O praise His name forever!”