To the People of Bethlehem

As the Christmas Season approaches in this Millennium year, I would like to send my special greetings to all the people of Bethlehem.

Christians, of course, hold Bethlehem in special affection as the birthplace of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. At this season, around the world, the mention of Bethlehem is synonymous with God's love for the world, through the gift of His Son, the Prince of Peace. The display of cribs in the Peace Museum in Bethlehem represents the concern and prayer of Anglican Christians around the world for your town and for your land.

Those concerns and prayers are the more intense this Christmastide. The cancellation of the traditional celebrations, that mean so much to you and to the many pilgrims who flock to your town, is a matter of pain and regret. It is not how anyone of goodwill would wish to mark Christmas in the year 2000.

The violence and bloodshed of recent weeks has caused immense suffering and grief in the Holy Land and greatly troubled the whole world. Whilst Bethlehem holds a special place in the hearts of Christians, we remember all the people of Bethlehem of whatever faith as you seek to live together in peace and mutual respect under the most difficult of circumstances.

My prayer for you and all the people of the Holy Land this Christmas is that the message of the angels, heard so long ago on the hills surrounding Bethlehem, may be heard again amongst you, "Glory to God in the highest on earth peace, goodwill to all men".

May God bless you all this Christmas.