Do not let the Grinch steal Christmas
A message recieved by the Dublin Quaker Peace Commitee from Wi’am – the Palestinian Conflict Resolution Centre:
Greetings from Wi’am Centre.
“Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display – so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree not the firelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the heart”
Although it is still early, Christmas seems to be fast approaching. Christmas is to be a time of peace and celebration; however, life in Bethlehem (the place of Jesus’ birth) has become difficult due to economic deprivation and the occupation, making an atmosphere of celebration difficult. As a result, many children in Bethlehem do not experience the joy of Christmas or the excitement of a Christmas gift.
Every year Wi’am provides the opportunity for Christmas celebration and the restoration of hope, through its Christmas Smile Festival. This program reaches out to children, who are often the most affected by the general situation, and tries to restore joy to the season. The project usually attracts around one thousand children and their families in Bethlehem and the neighboring cities.
Our children’s group and women’s group starts training for their performance in the Christmas Smile Festival that Wi’am has done every year since 1994. This training helps them to develop their skills and build their identity. There will be different activities such as performing the Traditional Dabkah dance, singing Christmas hymns, and dramas. One of the activities will be volunteering in an elderly home. Children will sing and dance with the elderly, learning more about their problems and needs.
Part of the Christmas program also is to give every child a small educational gift of 10 dollars in value. In order for this project to take place, we need the support of your churches, families, philanthropists, and social committees. Through prayer, warm thoughts, and financial support, you can help hundreds of children and their families have a joyful experience at Christmas.
Any support given is greatly appreciated, so please give warmly and do not let the Grinch steal Christmas.
Feel free to contact us for more info about this project at our website http://alaslah.org/